TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
Supplement to the Prospectuses
and Statement of Additional Information
Dated April 30, 1997
Effective at the close of business on November 7, 1997 the
Fund's Shareholder Servicing and Transfer Agent was changed to
PFPC Inc.
400 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809
All references to the Agent in the Prospectuses, Statement
of Additional Information or Application now refer to PFPC Inc.
The toll free telephone number for purchase, redemption or
account inquiries remains the same:
800-972-2651
The date of this supplement is November 10, 1997
<PAGE>
Tax-Free Fund of Colorado
380 Madison Avenue Suite 2300
New York, NY 10017
800-USA-COL2 (800-872-2652)
212-697-6666
Prospectus
Class A Shares
Class C Shares April 30, 1997
The Fund is a mutual fund whose objective is to seek to provide
as high a level of current income exempt from Colorado and
regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation
of capital by investing in municipal obligations which pay
interest exempt from Colorado State and Federal income taxes.
These municipal obligations must, at the time of purchase, either
be rated within the four highest credit ratings (considered as
investment grade) assigned by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation, or, if unrated, be determined to
be of comparable quality by the Fund's Adviser, KPM Investment
Management, Inc.
This Prospectus concisely states information about the Fund
that you should know before investing. A Statement of Additional
Information about the Fund dated April 30, 1997, (the "Additional
Statement") has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is available without charge upon written request
to Administrative Data Management Corp., the Fund's Shareholder
Servicing Agent, at the address given below, or by calling the
telephone number(s) given below. The Additional Statement
contains information about the Fund and its management not
included in the Prospectus. The Additional Statement is
incorporated by reference in its entirety in the Prospectus. Only
when you have read both the Prospectus and the Additional
Statement are all material facts about the Fund available to you.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS IN, OBLIGATIONS OF OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY ANY BANK. SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT
INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY OR GOVERNMENT SPONSORED AGENCY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
OR ANY STATE.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED.
For Purchase, Redemption or Account inquiries contact
The Fund's Shareholder Servicing Agent:
Administrative Data Management Corp.
581 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198
Call 800-872-2651 toll free or 908-855-5731
For General Inquiries & Yield Information,
Call 800-872-2652 toll free or 212-697-6666
This Prospectus Should Be Read and Retained For Future Reference
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
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The Fund invests in tax-free municipal securities, primarily the
kinds of obligations issued by various communities and political
subdivisions within Colorado. Most of these securities are used
to finance long-term municipal projects; examples are pictured
above. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets.") The municipal
obligations which financed these particular projects were
included in the Fund's portfolio as of April 24, 1997, and
together represented 14.5% of the Fund's portfolio. Since the
portfolio is subject to change, the Fund may not necessarily own
these specific securities at the time of the delivery of this
Prospectus.
<PAGE>
HIGHLIGHTS
Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, founded by Aquila Management
Corporation in 1987 and one of the Aquilasm Group of Funds, is an
open-end mutual fund which invests in tax-free municipal bonds,
the kind of obligations issued by the State of Colorado, its
counties and various other local authorities to finance such
long-term public purpose projects as schools, universities,
housing, transportation, utilities, hospitals and water and sewer
facilities throughout Colorado. (See "Introduction.")
Tax-Free Income - The municipal obligations in which the
Fund invests pay interest which is exempt from both regular
Federal and State of Colorado income taxes. Dividends paid by the
Fund from this income are likewise free of both such taxes. It
is, however, possible that in certain circumstances a small
portion of the dividends paid by the Fund will be subject to
income taxes. The Federal alternative minimum tax may apply to
some investors, but its impact will be limited since not more
than 20% of the Fund's net assets can be invested in obligations
paying interest which is subject to this tax. The receipt of
exempt-interest dividends from the Fund may result in some
portion of social security payments or railroad retirement
benefits being included in taxable income. Capital gains
distributions, if any, are taxable. (See "Dividend and Tax
Information.")
Investment Grade - The Fund will acquire only those
municipal obligations which, at the time of purchase, are within
the four highest credit ratings assigned by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, or are determined
by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. In general there are
nine separate credit ratings, ranging from the highest to the
lowest credit ratings for municipal obligations. Obligations
within the top four ratings are considered "investment grade,"
but those in the fourth rating may have speculative
characteristics as well. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets.")
Initial Investment - You may open your account with any
purchase of $1,000 or more or by opening an Automatic Investment
Program which makes purchases of $50 or more each month. See the
Application, which is in the back of the Prospectus. (See "How to
Invest in the Fund," which includes applicable sales charge
information.)
Additional Investments - You may make additional investments
at any time and in any amount, directly or, if in an amount of
$50 or more, through the convenience of having your investment
electronically transferred from your financial institution
account into the Fund by Automatic Investment or Telephone
Investment. (See "How to Invest in the Fund.")
Alternative Purchase Plans - The Fund provides two
alternative ways for individuals to invest. (See "Alternative
Purchase Plans.") One way permits individual investors to pay
distribution and certain service charges principally at the time
they purchase shares; the other way permits investors to pay such
costs over a period of time, but without paying anything at time
of purchase, much as goods can be purchased on an installment
plan. For this purpose the Fund offers the following classes of
shares, which differ in their expense levels and sales charges:
*Front-Payment Class Shares ("Class A Shares") are offered
to anyone at net asset value plus a sales charge, paid at
the time of purchase, at the maximum rate of 4.0% of the
public offering price, with lower rates for larger
purchases. (See "How to Purchase Class A Shares.") Class A
Shares are subject to an asset retention service fee under
the Fund's Distribution Plan at the rate of 0.05 of 1% of
the average annual net assets represented by the Class A
Shares. (See "Distribution Plan.")
*Level-Payment Class Shares ("Class C Shares") are offered
to anyone at net asset value with no sales charge payable at
the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and
distribution fees for six years after the date of purchase
at the aggregate annual rate of 1% of the average annual net
assets of the Class C Shares. (See "Distribution Plan" and
"Shareholder Services Plan for Class C Shares.") Six years
after the date of purchase, Class C Shares are automatically
converted to Class A Shares. If you redeem Class C Shares
before you have held them for 12 months from the date of
purchase you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC"); this charge is 1%, calculated on the net asset
value of the Class C Shares at the time of purchase or at
redemption, whichever is less. There is no CDSC after Class
C Shares have been held beyond the applicable period. (See
"Alternative Purchase Plans," "Computation of the Holding
Periods for Class C Shares" and "How to Purchase Class C
Shares.")
The Fund also issues Institutional Class Shares ("Class Y
Shares") that are sold only to certain institutional investors.
Class Y Shares are not offered by this Prospectus.
Class A Shares and Class C Shares are only offered for sale
in certain states. (See "How to Invest in the Fund.") If shares
of the Fund are sold outside those states the Fund can redeem
them. If your state of residence is not Colorado, the dividends
from the Fund may be subject to income taxes of the state in
which you reside. Accordingly, you should consult your tax
adviser before acquiring shares of the Fund.
Monthly Income - Dividends are declared daily and paid
monthly. At your choice, dividends are paid by check mailed to
you, directly deposited into your financial institution account
or automatically reinvested without sales charge in additional
shares of the Fund at the then-current net asset value. Specific
classes of shares will have different dividend amounts due to
their particular expense levels. (See "Dividend and Tax
Information.")
Many Different Issues - You have the advantages of a
portfolio which consists of over 154 issues with different
maturities. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets.")
Local Portfolio Management - KPM Investment Management, Inc.
(the "Adviser") serves as the Fund's investment adviser. It is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of KFS Corporation, a member of the
Mutual of Omaha Companies. The Fund's portfolio is managed in the
Adviser's Denver office. Founded in 1981, the Adviser provides
discretionary equity fixed income and balanced account management
to mutual funds, retirement plans, foundations, endowments and
high net-worth individuals and currently manages over $1 billion
of clients' assets.
The Fund is obligated to pay investment advisory fees at the
rate of 0.20 of 1% of average annual net assets to the Adviser
and administration fees at the rate of 0.30 of 1% of such net
assets to its Administrator (for total fees at the rate of 0.50
of 1% of average annual net assets). These fees are subject to
reduction when the Fund makes certain payments under the
Distribution Plan. (See "Table of Expenses," "Distribution Plan"
and "Management Arrangements.") Some or all of these fees may be
waived by the Adviser and Administrator.
Redemptions - Liquidity - You may redeem any amount of your
account on any business day at the next determined net asset
value by telephone, FAX or mail request, with proceeds being sent
to a predesignated financial institution, if you have elected
Expedited Redemption. Proceeds will be wired or transferred
through the facilities of the Automated Clearing House, wherever
possible, upon request, if in an amount of $1,000 or more, or
will be mailed. For these and other redemption procedures see
"How to Redeem Your Investment." There are no penalties or
redemption fees for redemption of Class A Shares. However, there
is a contingent deferred sales charge with respect to certain
Class A Shares which have been purchased in amounts of $1 million
or more (see "Purchase of $1 Million or More"). If you redeem
Class C Shares before you have held them for 12 months from the
date of purchase you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC") at the rate of 1%. (See "Alternative Purchase Plans" --
"Class C Shares.")
Certain Stabilizing Measures - The Fund will employ such
traditional measures as varying maturities, upgrading credit
standards for portfolio purchases, broadening diversification and
increasing its position in cash, in an attempt to protect against
declines in the value of its investments and other market risks.
(See "Certain Stabilizing Measures.")
Exchanges - You may exchange Class A or Class C Shares of
the Fund into corresponding classes of shares of other
Aquila-sponsored tax-free municipal bond mutual funds or two
Aquila-sponsored equity funds. You may also exchange them into
shares of the Aquila-sponsored money market funds. The exchange
prices will be the respective net asset values of the shares.
(See "Exchange Privilege.")
Risks and Special Considerations - The share price,
determined on each business day, varies with the market prices of
the Fund's portfolio securities, which fluctuate with market
conditions, including prevailing interest rates. Accordingly, the
proceeds of redemptions may be more or less than your original
cost. (See "Factors Which May Affect the Value of the Fund's
Investments and Their Yields.") The Fund's assets, being
primarily or entirely Colorado issues, are subject to economic
and other conditions affecting Colorado. (See "Risk Factors and
Special Considerations Regarding Investment in Colorado
Obligations.") Moreover, the Fund is classified as a
"non-diversified" investment company, because it may choose to
invest in the obligations of a relatively limited number of
issuers. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets.") The Fund may
also, to a limited degree, buy and sell futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, although since inception the Fund
has not done so and has no present intention to do so. There may
be risks associated with these practices. (See "Certain
Stabilizing Measures.")
Statements and Reports - You will receive statements of your
account monthly as well as each time you add to your account or
take money out. Additionally, you will receive a Semi-Annual
Report and an audited Annual Report.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
TABLE OF EXPENSES
Class A Class C
Shareholder Transaction Expenses Shares Shares
<S> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases 4.00% None
(as a percentage of the offering price)
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None None
Deferred Sales Charge None(1) 1.00%(2)
Redemption Fees None None
Exchange Fee None None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3)
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Investment Advisory Fee 0.20%(5) 0.20%(6)
12b-1 Fee 0.05%(5) 0.75%
All Other Expenses(4) 0.49% 0.74%
Administration Fee(4) 0.30%(5) 0.30%(6)
Service Fee None 0.25%
Other Expenses(4) 0.19% 0.19%
Total Fund Operating Expenses(4) 0.74% 1.69%
Example(7)
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
a 5% annual return and redemption at the end of each time period:
<CAPTION>
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Shares $47 $63 $80 $128
Class C Shares
With complete redemption
at end of period $27 $53 $92 $151(8)
With no redemption $17 $53 $92 $151(8)
<FN>
(1) Certain shares purchased in transactions of $1 million or more
without a sales charge may be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge of up to 1% upon redemption during the first four years after
purchase. See "Purchase of $1 Million or More".
</FN>
<FN>
(2) A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% is imposed on the redemption
proceeds of the shares (or on the original price, whichever is lower) if
redeemed during the first 12 months after purchase.
</FN>
<FN>
(3) Estimated based upon amounts incurred by the Fund during its most
recent fiscal year, restated to reflect current arrangements. Class A
Shares were outstanding during the entire period. Class C Shares were
established on April 30, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
(4) Other expenses do not reflect a 0.01% expenses offset in custodian
fees received for uninvested cash balances. Reflecting this amount,
other expenses, all other expenses, and total Fund operating expenses for
Class A Shares would have been 0.18%, 0.48%, and 0.73%; for Class C
Shares, these expenses would have been 0.18%, 0.73% and 1.68%.
</FN>
<FN>
(5) The shareholders of the Fund have approved a change in the Fund's
Distribution Plan which would increase 12b-1 fee payments from 0.05 of
1% of the assets of the Fund allocable to Class A Shares to 0.15 of 1%
of such assets. However, on implementation of such change the advisory
and administration fees payable by the Fund will be reduced so that the
overall expenses of the Fund will remain the same. Implementation of
the change was to have occurred on October 1, 1996 but has been
indefinitely postponed. When and if the change is implemented the
Prospectus will be supplemented. See "Distribution Plan."
</FN>
<FN>
(6) As discussed in note 5, upon implementation of new fee arrangements
for Class A Shares, the advisory fee and the administration fee for
Class C Shares will also be reduced from an annual rate of 0.20% to
0.16%, and from 0.30% to 0.24%, respectively.
</FN>
<FN>
(7) The expense example is based upon the above shareholder transaction
expenses (in the case of Class A Shares, this includes a sales charge
of $40 for a $1,000 investment) and annual Fund operating expenses. It
is also based upon amounts at the beginning of each year which includes
the prior year's assumed results. A year's results consist of an
assumed 5% annual return less total operating expenses; the expense
ratio was applied to an assumed average balance (the year's starting
investment plus one-half the year's results). Each figure represents
the cumulative expenses so determined for the period specified.
</FN>
<FN>
(8) Six years after the date of purchase, Class C Shares are
automatically converted to Class A Shares.
</FN>
</TABLE>
THE EXAMPLE ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST
OR FUTURE EXPENSES; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
THOSE SHOWN. THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SPECIFIES THAT
ALL MUTUAL FUNDS USE THE 5% ANNUAL RATE OF RETURN FOR PURPOSES OF
PREPARING THE ABOVE EXAMPLE. THE EXAMPLE ALSO REFLECTS THE
MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE. (SEE "HOW TO INVEST IN THE FUND".)
The purpose of the above table is to assist the investor in
understanding the various costs that an investor in the Fund will
bear directly or indirectly. The assumed 5% annual return should
not be interpreted as a prediction of an actual return, which may
be higher or lower.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
The following table of Financial Highlights as it relates to
the five years ended December 31, 1996 has been audited by KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon is included
in the Fund's financial statements contained in its Annual Report,
which are incorporated by reference into the Additional Statement.
The information provided in the table should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and related notes.(+) The Fund's Annual
Report contains additional information about the Fund's performance
and is available upon request without charge.
Class A(3)
Year ended December 31, Class C(4)
1996 1995 1994 1993 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning
of Year $10.56 $9.82 $10.77 $10.38 $10.31
Income from Investment
Operations:
Net investment income 0.52 0.54 0.55 0.57 0.28
Net gain (loss) on
securities (both
realized and unrealized) (0.13) 0.74 (0.95) 0.55 0.12
Total from Investment
Operations 0.39 1.28 (0.40) 1.12 0.40
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (0.54) (0.54) (0.55) (0.57) (0.30)
Distributions from
capital gains - - - (0.16) -
Total Distributions (0.54) (0.54) (0.55) (0.73) (0.30)
Net Asset Value, End of
Year $10.41 $10.56 $9.82 $10.77 $10.41
Total Return (not
reflecting sales load) 3.78 13.28 (3.80) 11.10 3.78(1)
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of Year
(in thousands) 214,392 219,306 199,075 222,277 915
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets 0.69 0.63 0.57 0.53 1.64(2)
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets 5.03 5.21 5.36 5.32 4.08(2)
Portfolio Turnover Rate 10.96 14.20 15.53 20.89 10.96
<CAPTION>
Net investment income per share and the ratios of income and expenses to
average net assets without the Adviser's and Administrator's voluntary
waiver of fees, the Administrator's voluntary expense reimbursement and
the expense offset in custodian fees for uninvested cash balances
would have been:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Investment Income 0.51 0.52 0.53 0.55 0.27
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets 0.75 0.77 0.76 0.73 1.70(2)
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets 4.97 5.07 5.17 5.12 4.02(2)
<CAPTION> Class A(3)
1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987(*)
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$10.18 $9.77 $9.80 $9.66 $9.51 $9.60
0.61 0.62 0.64 0.67 0.63 0.27
0.28 0.41 (0.03) 0.14 0.14 (0.07)
0.89 1.03 0.61 0.81 0.77 0.20
(0.61) (0.62) (0.64) (0.67) (0.62) (0.29)
(0.08) - - - - -
(0.69) (0.62) (0.64) (0.67) (0.62) (0.29)
$10.38 $10.18 $9.77 $9.80 $9.66 $9.51
9.00 10.96 6.59 8.59 8.84 2.12(1)
174,031 129,760 88,086 55,901 22,884 7,678
0.45 0.43 0.27 0.14 0.06 0.66(2)
5.90 6.25 6.56 6.62 6.72 5.72(2)
25.88 25.47 23.73 34.29 8.13 5.02
0.59 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.55 0.20
0.70 0.80 0.75 1.00 1.41 2.98(2)
5.65 5.88 6.08 5.73 5.37 3.40(2)
<FN>
(1) Not annualized.
</FN>
<FN>
(2) Annualized.
</FN>
<FN>
(3) Designated as Class A Shares on April 30, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
(4) New Class of Shares established on April 30, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
(5) For the period from May 21, 1987 (commencement of operations)
to December 31, 1987.
</FN>
<FN>
+ On April 19, 1991, Norwest Bank Denver, National Association,
originally the Fund's Investment Adviser, became Sub-Adviser
and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association became
Investment Adviser upon completion of a merger with Norwest
Corporation. On October 1, 1992, Kirkpatrick, Pettis, Smith,
Polian Inc. became the Fund's Investment Adviser. On July 1,
1994, its wholly owned subsidiary KPM Investment Management,
Inc. became the Fund's Adviser. On June 13, 1989, Aquila
Management Corporation, originally the Fund's Sub-Adviser and
Administrator became Administrator only. (See "Management
Arrangements").
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
The Fund's shares are designed to be a suitable investment
for investors who seek income exempt from Colorado State and
regular Federal income taxes.
You may invest in shares of the Fund as an alternative to
direct investments in Colorado Obligations, as defined below,
which may include obligations of certain non-Colorado issuers.
The Fund offers you the opportunity to keep assets fully invested
in a vehicle that provides a professionally managed portfolio of
Colorado Obligations which may, but not necessarily will, be more
diversified, higher yielding or more stable and more liquid than
you might be able to obtain on an individual basis by direct
purchase of Colorado Obligations. Through the convenience of a
single security consisting of shares of the Fund, you are also
relieved of the inconvenience associated with direct investments
of fixed denominations, including the selecting, purchasing,
handling, monitoring call provisions and safekeeping of Colorado
Obligations.
Colorado Obligations are a type of municipal obligation.
Municipal obligations are issued by or on behalf of states,
territories and possessions of the United States and their
political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities to obtain
funds for various public purposes. The two principal
classifications of municipal obligations are "notes" and "bonds."
Municipal notes are generally used to provide for short-term
capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less
while municipal bonds have extended maturities. Municipal notes
include: project notes, which sometimes carry a U.S. Government
guarantee; tax anticipation notes; revenue anticipation notes;
bond anticipation notes; construction loan notes and floating and
variable rate demand notes. Municipal obligations include
municipal lease/purchase agreements which are similar to
installment purchase contracts for property or equipment. The
purposes for which municipal obligations such as bonds are issued
include the construction of a wide range of public facilities
such as airports, highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, housing,
mass transportation, streets and water and sewer works. Other
public purposes for which municipal obligations may be issued
include the refunding of outstanding obligations, the obtaining
of funds for general operating expenses and the obtaining of
funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities.
INVESTMENT OF THE FUND'S ASSETS
In seeking its objective of providing as high a level of
current income which is exempt from both Colorado State and
regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with the
preservation of capital, the Fund will invest in Colorado
Obligations (as defined below). There is no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its objective, which is a fundamental policy of
the Fund. (See "Investment Restrictions.")
As used in the Prospectus and the Additional Statement, the
term "Colorado Obligations" means obligations, including those of
certain non-Colorado issuers, of any maturity which pay interest
which, in the opinion of bond counsel or other appropriate
counsel, is exempt from regular Federal income taxes and not
subject to Colorado income taxes. Although exempt from regular
Federal income tax, interest paid on certain types of Colorado
Obligations, and dividends which the Fund might pay from this
interest, are preference items as to the Federal alternative
minimum tax; for further information, see "Dividend and Tax
Information." As a fundamental policy, at least 80% of the Fund's
net assets will be invested in Colorado Obligations the income
paid upon which will not be subject to the alternative minimum
tax; accordingly, the Fund can invest up to 20% of its net assets
in obligations which are subject to the Federal alternative
minimum tax. The Fund may refrain entirely from purchasing these
types of Colorado Obligations. (See "Dividend and Tax
Information.")
The non-Colorado bonds or other obligations the interest on
which is exempt under present law from regular Federal and
Colorado income taxes are those issued by or under the authority
of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands. The Fund will not purchase Colorado Obligations of
non-Colorado issuers unless Colorado Obligations of Colorado
issuers of the desired quality, maturity and interest rate are
not available. As a Colorado-oriented fund, at least 65% of the
Fund's total assets will be invested in Colorado Obligations of
Colorado issuers. The Fund invests only in Colorado Obligations
and, possibly, in Futures and options on Futures (see below) for
protective (hedging) purposes.
In general, there are nine separate credit ratings ranging
from the highest to the lowest quality standards for municipal
obligations. So that the Fund will have a portfolio of quality
oriented (investment grade) securities, the Colorado Obligations
which the Fund will purchase must, at the time of purchase,
either (i) be rated within the four highest credit ratings
assigned by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"); or (ii) if unrated, be
determined to be of comparable quality to municipal obligations
so rated by KPM Investment Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"),
subject to the direction and control of the Fund's Board of
Trustees. Municipal obligations rated in the fourth highest
credit rating are considered by such rating agencies to be of
medium quality and thus may present investment risks not present
in more highly rated obligations. Such bonds lack outstanding
investment characteristics and may in fact have speculative
characteristics as well; changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
make principal and interest payments than is the case for higher
grade bonds. If after purchase the rating of any rated Colorado
Obligation is downgraded such that it could not then be purchased
by the Fund, or, in the case of an unrated Colorado Obligation,
if the Adviser determines that the unrated obligation is no
longer of comparable quality to those rated obligations which the
Fund may purchase, it is the current policy of the Fund to cause
any such obligation to be sold as promptly thereafter as the
Adviser in its discretion determines to be consistent with the
Fund's objectives; such obligation remains in the Fund's
portfolio until it is sold. In addition, because a downgrade
often results in a reduction in the market price of a downgraded
obligation, sale of such an obligation may result in a loss. See
Appendix A to the Additional Statement for further information as
to these ratings. The Fund can purchase industrial development
bonds only if they meet the definition of Colorado Obligations,
i.e., the interest on them is exempt from Colorado State and
regular Federal income taxes.
The Fund is classified as a "non-diversified" investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act"). The Fund also intends to continue to qualify as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code
(the "Code"). One of the tests for such qualification under the
Code is, in general, that at the end of each fiscal quarter of
the Fund, at least 50% of its assets must consist of (i) cash;
and (ii) securities which, as to any one issuer, do not exceed 5%
of the value of the Fund's assets. If the Fund had elected to
register under the 1940 Act as a "diversified" investment
company, it would have to meet the same test as to 75% of its
assets. The Fund may therefore not have as much diversification
among securities, and thus diversification of risk, as if it had
made this election under the 1940 Act. In general, the more the
Fund invests in the securities of specific issuers, the more the
Fund is exposed to risks associated with investments in those
issuers. The Fund's assets, being primarily or entirely Colorado
issues, are accordingly subject to economic and other conditions
affecting Colorado. (See "Risk Factors and Special Considerations
Regarding Investment in Colorado Obligations.")
Certain Stabilizing Measures
The Fund will employ such traditional measures as varying
maturities, upgrading credit standards for portfolio purchases,
broadening diversification and increasing its position in cash
and cash equivalents in attempting to protect against declines in
the value of its investments and other market risks. There can,
however, be no assurance that these will be successful. Although
the Fund has no current intention of using futures and options,
to the limited degree described below, these may be used to
attempt to hedge against changes in the market price of the
Fund's Colorado Obligations caused by interest rate fluctuations.
Futures and options could also provide a hedge against increases
in the cost of securities the Fund intends to purchase.
Although it does not currently do so, and since inception
has not done so, the Fund may buy and sell futures contracts
relating to indices on municipal bonds ("Municipal Bond Index
Futures") and to U.S. government securities ("U.S. Government
Securities Futures"); both kinds of futures contracts are
"Futures." The Fund may also write and purchase put and call
options on Futures.
As a matter of fundamental policy the Fund will not buy or
sell a Future or an option on a Future if thereafter more than
10% of its net assets would be in initial or variation margin on
such Futures and options on them, and in premiums on such
options. The Fund will not enter into Futures or options for
which the aggregate initial margins and premiums paid for options
exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's assets. (See the
Additional Statement.)
The primary risks associated with the use of Futures and
options are: (i) imperfect correlation between the change in the
market value of the securities held in the Fund's portfolio and
the prices of Futures or options purchased or sold by the Fund;
(ii) incorrect forecasts by the Adviser concerning interest rates
which may result in the hedge being ineffective; and (iii)
possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a Future or
option; the resulting inability to close a Futures or options
position could adversely affect the Fund's hedging ability.
For a hedge to be completely effective, the price change of
the hedging instrument should equal the price change of the
security being hedged. The risk of imperfect correlation of these
price changes is increased as the composition of the Fund's
portfolio is divergent from the debt securities underlying the
hedging instrument. To date, the Adviser has had no experience in
the use of Futures or options on them.
The liquidity of a secondary market in a Future may be
adversely affected by "daily price fluctuation limits"
established by commodity exchanges which restrict the amount of
change in the contract price allowed during a single trading day.
Thus, once a daily limit is reached, no further trades may be
entered into beyond the limit, thereby preventing the liquidation
of open positions. Prices have in the past reached the daily
limit on a number of consecutive trading days. For further
information about Futures and options, see the Additional
Statement.
When and if the Fund determines to use Futures and options,
the Prospectus will be supplemented.
Floating and Variable Rate Demand Notes
Floating and variable rate demand notes are tax-exempt
obligations which may have a stated maturity in excess of one
year, but permit the holder to demand payment of principal at any
time, or at specified intervals not exceeding one year, in each
case upon not more than 30 days' notice. The issuer of such notes
normally has a corresponding right, after a given period, to
prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the
note plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days'
notice to the noteholders. The interest rate on a floating rate
demand note is based on a known lending rate, such as a bank's
prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is
adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand note is
adjusted automatically at specified intervals.
Participation Interests
The Fund may purchase from financial institutions
participation interests in Colorado Obligations (such as
industrial development bonds and municipal lease/purchase
agreements). A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided
interest in the underlying Colorado Obligations in the proportion
that the Fund's participation interest bears to the total amount
of the underlying Colorado Obligations. All such participation
interests must meet the Fund's credit requirements. (See
"Limitation to 10% as to Certain Investments.")
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Purchases
The Fund may buy Colorado Obligations on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis when it has the intention of acquiring
them. The Colorado Obligations so purchased are subject to market
fluctuation and no interest accrues to the Fund until delivery
and payment take place; their value at the delivery date may be
less than the purchase price. The Fund cannot enter into
when-issued commitments exceeding in the aggregate 15% of the
market value of the Fund's total assets, less liabilities other
than the obligations created by when-issued commitments. If the
Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued
obligation prior to its acquisition, it could, as with the
disposition of any other portfolio holding, incur a gain or loss
due to market fluctuation; any such gain would be a taxable
short-term gain. The Fund places an amount of assets equal in
value to the amount due on the settlement date for the
when-issued or delayed delivery securities being purchased in a
segregated account with the Custodian, which is marked to market
every business day. See the Additional Statement for further
information.
Limitation to 10% as to Certain Investments
The Fund cannot purchase Colorado Obligations that are not
readily marketable if thereafter more than 10% of its net assets
would consist of such investments. However, this 10% limit does
not include any Colorado Obligations as to which the Fund can
exercise the right to demand payment in full within three days
and as to which there is a secondary market. Floating and
variable rate demand notes and participation interests (including
municipal lease/purchase obligations) are considered illiquid
unless determined by the Board of Trustees to be readily
marketable. (See the Additional Statement.)
Current Policy as to Certain Obligations
The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets
in (i) Colorado Obligations the interest on which is paid from
revenues of similar type projects or (ii) industrial development
bonds, unless this Prospectus and/or the Additional Statement are
supplemented to reflect the change and to give additional
information.
Factors Which May Affect the Value of
the Fund's Investments and Their Yields
The value of the Colorado Obligations in which the Fund
invests will fluctuate depending in large part on changes in
prevailing interest rates and may be subject to other market
factors as well. If the prevailing interest rates go up after the
Fund buys Colorado Obligations, the value of these obligations
will normally go down; if these rates go down, the value of these
obligations will normally go up. Changes in value and yield based
on changes in prevailing interest rates may have different
effects on short-term Colorado Obligations than on long-term
obligations. Long-term obligations (which often have higher
yields) may fluctuate in value more than short-term ones. For
this reason, the Fund may, to achieve a defensive position,
shorten the average maturity of its portfolio.
Risk Factors and Special Considerations Regarding
Investment in Colorado Obligations
The following is a discussion of the general factors that
might influence the ability of Colorado issuers to repay
principal and interest when due on the Colorado Obligations
contained in the portfolio of the Fund. Such information is
derived from sources that are generally available to investors
and is believed by the Fund to be accurate, but has not been
independently verified and may not be complete.
Because of limitations contained in the state constitution,
the State of Colorado issues no general obligation bonds secured
by the full faith and credit of the state. Several agencies and
instrumentalities of state government are authorized by statute
to issue bonds secured by revenues from specific projects and
activities. Additionally, the state currently is authorized to
issue short-term revenue anticipation notes.
There are approximately 2,000 units of local government in
Colorado, including counties, statutory cities and towns,
home-rule cities and counties, school districts and a variety of
water, irrigation, and other special districts and special
improvement districts, all with various constitutional and
statutory authority to levy taxes and incur indebtedness. The
major source of revenue for funding such indebtedness is the ad
valorem property tax, which presently is levied and collected
solely at the local level, although the state is also authorized
to levy such taxes. There is a statutory restriction on the
amount of annual increases in taxes that can be levied by the
various taxing jurisdictions in Colorado without electoral
approval.
In 1992, an amendment to the Constitution of the State of
Colorado was approved and went into effect. In general, the
effect of the amendment was to limit the ability of the State and
local governments to increase revenues and expenditures, issue
debt and enter into other financial obligations and raise taxes.
Colorado's economy is diversified and the state has become
the services center for the Rocky Mountain region. The state's
economy includes agriculture, manufacturing (especially high
technology and communications), construction, tourism (ski
resorts and national parks) and mining (primarily oil
production). Colorado has recovered from economic difficulties
experienced during the past several years, which caused state
government revenue shortfalls at that time.
Employment in Colorado is diversified among services, trade,
government and manufacturing. Employment growth in Colorado has
exceeded that of the United States as a whole since 1989.
It can be expected that federal deficit reduction measures
will have significant direct and indirect impact on the economy
of the state as a whole and on specific localities with a large
presence of federal activity. As a result of all these factors,
there can be no assurance that further economic difficulties and
their impact on state and local government finances will not
adversely affect the market value of the Colorado Obligations
held by the Fund or the ability of the respective obligors to pay
debt service on certain of such obligations. Obligations of
non-Colorado issuers are subject to the risks of general economic
and other factors affecting those issuers.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has a number of policies about what it can and
cannot do. Certain of these policies, identified in the
Prospectus and Additional Statement as "fundamental policies,"
cannot be changed unless the holders of a "majority," as defined
in the 1940 Act, of the Fund's outstanding shares vote to change
them. (See the Additional Statement for a definition of such a
majority.) All other policies can be changed from time to time by
the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Some of the
more important of the Fund's fundamental policies, not otherwise
identified in the Prospectus, are set forth below; others are
listed in the Additional Statement.
1. The Fund invests only in certain limited securities.
The Fund cannot buy any securities other than the Colorado
Obligations meeting the standards stated under "Investment of the
Fund's Assets"; the Fund can also purchase and sell Futures and
options on them within the limits there discussed.
2. The Fund has industry investment requirements.
The Fund cannot buy the obligations of issuers in any one
industry if more than 25% of its total assets would then be
invested in securities of issuers of that industry; the Fund will
consider that a non-governmental user of facilities financed by
industrial development bonds is an issuer in an industry.
3. The Fund cannot make loans.
The Fund can buy those Colorado Obligations which it is
permitted to buy (see "Investment of the Fund's Assets"); this is
investing, not making a loan. The Fund cannot lend its portfolio
securities.
4. The Fund can borrow only in limited amounts for special
purposes.
The Fund can borrow from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes but only up to 10% of its total assets. It can mortgage
or pledge its assets only in connection with such borrowing and
only up to the lesser of the amounts borrowed or 5% of the value
of its total assets. However, this shall not prohibit margin
arrangements in connection with the purchase or sale of Municipal
Bond Index Futures, U.S. Government Securities Futures or options
on them, or the payment of premiums on those options. Interest on
borrowings would reduce the Fund's income. Except in connection
with borrowings, the Fund will not issue senior securities. The
Fund will not purchase any Colorado Obligations, Futures or
options on Futures while it has any outstanding borrowings which
exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The Fund's net asset value and offering price per share of
each class are determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time on each
day that the New York Stock Exchange is open (a "business day").
The net asset value per share is determined by dividing the value
of the net assets(i.e., the value of the assets less liabilities)
by the total number of shares outstanding. Determination of the
value of the Fund's assets is subject to the direction and
control of the Fund's Board of Trustees. In general, it is based
on market value, except that Colorado Obligations maturing in 60
days or less are generally valued at amortized cost; see the
Additional Statement for further information.
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE PLANS
In this Prospectus, the Fund provides individual investors
with the option of two alternative ways to purchase shares,
through two separate classes of shares. All classes represent
interests in the same portfolio of Colorado Obligations. The
primary distinction among the classes of shares offered to
individuals lies in their sales charge structures and ongoing
expenses, as described below. You should choose the class that
best suits your own circumstances and needs.
If you choose to purchase Class A Shares you will pay the
applicable sales charge at the time of your purchase. By
purchasing Class C Shares, you will pay a sales charge over a
period of six years after purchase but without paying anything at
time of purchase, much as goods can be purchased on an
installment plan. You are subject to a conditional deferred sales
charge, described below, but only if you redeem your Class C
Shares before they have been held 12 months from your purchase.
(See "Computation of Holding Periods for Class C Shares.")
* Class A Shares, "Front-Payment Class Shares," are offered
to anyone at net asset value plus a sales charge, paid at
the time of purchase, at the maximum rate of 4.0% of the
public offering price, with lower rates for larger
purchases. When you purchase Class A Shares, the amount of
your investment is reduced by the applicable sales charge.
Under the Fund's Distribution Plan, Class A Shares are
subject to a fee of 0.05 of 1% of the average annual net
assets of the Class A Shares up to $250 million and 0.15 of
1% of such assets over $250 million. Certain Class A Shares
purchased in transactions of $1 million or more are subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge. (See "Purchase of $1
Million or More.")
* Class C Shares, "Level-Payment Class Shares," are offered
to anyone at net asset value with no sales charge payable at
purchase but with a level charge for distribution fees and
service fees for six years after the date of purchase at the
aggregate annual rate of 1% of the average annual net assets
of the Class C Shares. (See "Distribution Plan" and
"Shareholder Services Plan for Class C Shares.") Six years
after the date of purchase, Class C Shares, including Class
C Shares acquired in exchange for other Class C Shares under
the Exchange Privilege (see "Exchange Privilege"), are
automatically converted to Class A Shares. If you redeem
Class C Shares before you have held them for 12 months from
the date of purchase you will pay a contingent deferred
sales charge ("CDSC") at the rate of 1%, calculated on the
net asset value of the redeemed Class C Shares at the time
of purchase or of redemption, whichever is less. The amount
of any CDSC will be paid to the Distributor. The CDSC does
not apply to shares acquired through the reinvestment of
dividends on Class C Shares or to any Class C Shares held
for more than 12 months after purchase. For purposes of
applying the CDSC and determining the time of conversion,
the 12-month and six-year holding periods are considered
modified by up to one month depending upon when during a
month your purchase of such shares is made. (See
"Computation of Holding Periods for Class C Shares" and "How
to Purchase Class C Shares.")
In determining whether a CDSC is payable on a redemption of
Class C Shares, it will be assumed that the redemption is made
first of any shares acquired as dividends or distributions,
second of any Class C Shares you have held for more than 12
months from the date of purchase and finally of those Class C
Shares as to which the CDSC is payable which you have held the
longest. This will result in your paying the lowest possible
CDSC.
Computation of Holding Periods for Class C Shares
For purposes of determining the holding period for Class C
Shares, all of your purchases made during a calendar month will
be deemed to have been made on the first business day of that
month at the average cost of all purchases made during that
month. The 12-month CDSC holding period will end on the first
business day of the 12th calendar month after the date your
purchase is deemed to have been made. Accordingly, the CDSC
holding period applicable to your Class C Shares may be up to one
month less than the full 12 months depending upon when your
actual purchase was made during a month. Running of the 12-month
CDSC holding period will be suspended for one month for each
period of thirty days during which you have held shares of a
money market fund you have received in exchange for Class C
Shares under the Exchange Privilege. (See "Exchange Privilege.")
Your Class C Shares will automatically convert to Class A
Shares six years after the date of purchase, together with a
pro-rata portion of all Class C Shares representing dividends and
other distributions paid in additional Class C Shares. The Class
C Shares so converted will no longer be subject to the higher
expenses borne by the Class C Shares. The conversion will be
effected at relative net asset values on the first business day
of the month following that in which the sixth anniversary of
your purchase of the Class C Shares occurred, except as noted
below. Accordingly, the holding period applicable to your Class C
Shares may be up to one month more than the six years depending
upon when your actual purchase was made during a month. Because
the per share value of Class A Shares may be higher than that of
Class C Shares at the time of conversion, you may receive fewer
Class A Shares than the number of Class C Shares converted. If
you have made one or more exchanges of Class C Shares among the
Aquila-sponsored tax-free municipal bond funds or equity funds
under the Exchange Privilege, the six-year holding period is
deemed to have begun on the date you purchased your original
Class C Shares of the Fund or of another of the Aquila bond or
equity funds. The six-year holding period will be suspended by
one month for each period of thirty days during which you hold
shares of a money market fund you have received in exchange for
Class C Shares under the Exchange Privilege. (See "Exchange
Privilege.")
The following chart summarizes the principal differences
between Class A Shares and Class C Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class C
<S> <C> <C>
Initial Sales Maximum of 4% None
Charge of the public
offering price
Contingent None (except Maximum CDSC
Deferred for certain of 1% if shares
Sales Charge purchases over redeemed before
$1 Million) 12 months; 0%
after 12 months
Distribution and 0.05 of 1% Distribution fee
Service Fees of 0.75 of 1% and
a service fee of
0.25 of 1% for a
total of 1%,
payable for six
years
Other Information Initial sales Shares convert
charge waived to Class A Shares
or reduced in after six years
some cases
</TABLE>
Factors to Consider in Choosing Classes of Shares
This discussion relates to the major differences between
Class A Shares and Class C Shares. It is recommended that any
investment in the Fund be considered long-term in nature.
Over time, the cumulative total cost of the 1% annual
service and distribution fees on the Class C Shares will equal or
exceed the total cost of the initial 4% maximum initial sales
charge and 0.05 of 1% annual fee payable for Class A Shares. For
example, if equal amounts were paid at the same time for Class A
Shares (where the amount invested is reduced by the amount of the
sales charge) and for Class C Shares (which carry no sales charge
at the time of purchase) and the net asset value per share
remained constant over time, the total of such costs for Class C
Shares would equal the total of such costs for Class A Shares
after approximately four and two-thirds years. This example
assumes no redemptions and disregards the time value of money.
Purchasers of Class C Shares have all of their investment dollars
invested from the time of purchase, without having their
investment reduced at the outset by the initial sales charge
payable for Class A Shares. If you invest in Class A Shares you
will pay the entire sales charge at the time of purchase.
Accordingly, if you expect to redeem your shares within a
reasonably short time after purchase, you should consider the
total cost of such an investment in Class A Shares compared with
a similar investment in Class C Shares. The example under "Table
of Expenses" shows the effect of Fund expenses for both classes
if a hypothetical investment in each of the classes is held for
1, 3, 5 and 10 years. (See the Table of Expenses.)
Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund with
respect to shares of each class are calculated in the same manner
and at the same time. The dividends actually paid with respect to
Class C Shares will be lower than those paid on Class A Shares
because Class C Shares bear higher distribution and service fees
and will have a higher expense ratio. In addition, the dividends
of each class can vary because each class will bear certain
class-specific charges. For example, each class will bear the
costs of printing and mailing annual reports to its own
shareholders.
HOW TO INVEST IN THE FUND
The Fund's shares may be purchased through any investment
broker or dealer (a "selected dealer") which has a sales
agreement with Aquila Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") or
through the Distributor. There are two ways to make an initial
investment: (i) order the shares through your investment broker
or dealer, if it is a selected dealer; or (ii) mail the
Application with payment to Administrative Data Management Corp.
(the "Agent") at the address on the Application. If you purchase
Class A Shares, the applicable sales charge will apply in either
instance. Subsequent investments are also subject to the
applicable sales charges. You are urged to complete an
Application and send it to the Agent so that expedited
shareholder services can be established at the time of your
investment. Unless your initial investment is specified to be
made in Class C Shares, it will be made in Class A Shares.
The minimum initial investment for Class A Shares and Class
C Shares is $1,000, except as otherwise stated in the Prospectus
or Additional Statement. You may also make an initial investment
of at least $50 by establishing an Automatic Investment Program.
To do this you must open an account for automatic investments of
at least $50 each month and make an initial investment of at
least $50. (See below and "Automatic Investment Program" in the
Application.) Such investment must be drawn in United States
dollars on a United States commercial or savings bank or credit
union or a United States branch of a foreign commercial bank
(each of which is a "Financial Institution"). You may make
subsequent investments in the same class of shares in any amount
(unless you have an Automatic Withdrawal Plan). Your subsequent
investment may be made through a selected dealer or by forwarding
payment to the Agent, with the name(s) of account owner(s), the
account number, the name of the Fund and the class of shares to
be purchased. With subsequent investments, please send the
pre-printed stub attached to the Fund's confirmations.
Subsequent investments of $50 or more in shares of the same
class as your initial investment can be made by electronic funds
transfer from your demand account at a Financial Institution. To
use electronic funds transfer for your purchases, your Financial
Institution must be a member of the Automated Clearing House and
the Agent must have received your completed Application
designating this feature, or, after your account has been opened,
a Ready Access Features form available from the Distributor or
the Agent. A pre-determined amount can be regularly transferred
for investment ("Automatic Investment"), or single investments
can be made upon receipt by the Agent of telephone instructions
from anyone ("Telephone Investment"). The maximum amount of each
Telephone Investment is $50,000. Upon 30 days' written notice to
shareholders, the Fund may modify or terminate these investment
methods at any time or charge a service fee, although no such fee
is currently contemplated.
The offering price is the net asset value per share for
Class C Shares and the net asset value per share plus the
applicable sales charge for Class A Shares. The offering price
determined on any day applies to all purchase orders received by
the Agent from selected dealers that day, except that orders
received by it after 4:00 p.m. New York time will receive that
day's offering price only if such orders were received by
selected dealers from customers prior to such time and
transmitted to the Distributor prior to its close of business
that day (normally 5:00 p.m. New York time); if not so
transmitted, such orders will be filled at the next determined
offering price. Selected dealers are required to transmit orders
promptly. Investments by mail are made at the offering price next
determined after receipt of the purchase order by the Agent.
Purchase orders received on other than a business day will be
executed on the next succeeding business day. Purchases by
Automatic Investment and Telephone Investment will be executed on
the first business day occurring on or after the date an order is
considered received by the Agent at the price determined on that
day. In the case of Automatic Investment your order will be
executed on the date you specified for investment at the price
determined on that day. If that day is not a business day your
order will be executed at the price determined on the next
business day. In the case of Telephone Investment your order will
be filled at the next determined offering price. If your order is
placed after the time for determining the net asset value of the
Fund shares for any day it will be executed at the price
determined on the following business day. The sale of shares will
be suspended during any period when the determination of net
asset value is suspended and may be suspended by the Distributor
when the Distributor judges it in the Fund's best interest to do
so.
At the date of the Prospectus, shares of the Fund are
available only in the following states: Colorado, Arizona,
California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana,
Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas and
Virginia.
If you do not reside in one of these states you should not
purchase shares of the Fund. If shares are sold outside of these
states the Fund can redeem them. Such a redemption may result in
a loss to you and may have tax consequences. In addition, if your
state of residence is not Colorado, the dividends from the Fund
may not be exempt from income tax of the state in which you
reside. Accordingly, you should consult your tax adviser before
acquiring shares of the Fund.
How to Purchase Class A Shares (Front-Payment Class Shares)
The following table shows the amount of the sales charges to
a "single purchaser" (defined below) together with the dealer
discounts paid to dealers and the agency commissions paid to
brokers (collectively called the "commissions"):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales Sales Commis-
Charge Charge sions
as as as
Percentage Approximate Percentage
of Public Percentage of
Amount of Offering of Amount Offering
Purchase Price Invested Price
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000...... 4.00% 4.17% 3.00%
$25,000 but less
than $50,000........ 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
$50,000 but less
than $100,000....... 3.50% 3.63% 2.75%
$100,000 but less
than $250,000....... 3.25% 3.36% 2.75%
$250,000 but less
than $500,000....... 3.00% 3.09% 2.50%
$500,000 but less
than $1,000,000..... 2.50% 2.56% 2.25%
For purchases of $1 million or more see "Purchase of $1 Million
or More," below.
The table of sales charges is applicable to purchases of
Class A Shares by a "single purchaser," i.e.: (a) an individual;
(b) an individual together with his or her spouse and their
children under the age of 21 purchasing shares for his or their
own accounts; (c) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares
for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account; and (d)
a tax-exempt organization enumerated in Section 501(c)(3) or (13)
of the Code.
Upon notice to all selected dealers, the Distributor may
reallow up to the full amount of the applicable sales charge as
shown in the above schedule during periods specified in such
notice. During periods when all or substantially all of the
entire sales charge is reallowed, such selected dealers may be
deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the
Securities Act of 1933.
Purchase of $1 Million or More
Class A Shares issued under the following circumstances are
called "CDSC Class A Shares": (i) shares issued in a single
purchase of $1 million or more by a single purchaser; and (ii)
all shares issued in a single purchase to a single purchaser the
value of which, when added to the value of the CDSC Class A
Shares and Class A Shares on which a sales charge has been paid,
already owned at the time of such purchase, equals or exceeds $1
million. CDSC Class A Shares also include certain Class A Shares
issued under the program captioned "Special Dealer Arrangements,"
below. CDSC Class A Shares do not include (i) Class A Shares
purchased without sales charge pursuant to the terms described
under "General," below and (ii) Class A Shares purchased in
transactions of less than $1 million and when certain special
dealer arrangements are not in effect under "Certain Investment
Companies" set forth under "Reduced Sales Charges," below.
When you purchase CDSC Class A Shares you will not pay a
sales charge at the time of purchase, and the Distributor will
pay to any dealer effecting such a purchase an amount equal to 1%
of the sales price of the shares purchased for purchases of $1
million but less than $2.5 million, 0.50 of 1% for purchases of
$2.5 million but less than $5 million, and 0.25 of 1% for
purchases of $5 million or more, if the CDSC Class A Shares
remain outstanding for a period of at least one year. A pro-rata
portion of this fee will be payable for each day the CDSC Class A
Shares are outstanding in the first one-year period following
issuance of such shares. The fee payable for each calendar
quarter will be made within fifteen days of the end of that
quarter.
If you redeem all or part of your CDSC Class A Shares during
the four years after your purchase of such shares, at the time of
redemption you will be required to pay to the Distributor a
special contingent deferred sales charge based on the lesser of
(i) the net asset value of your redeemed CDSC Class A Shares at
the time of purchase or (ii) the net asset value of your redeemed
CDSC Class A Shares at the time of redemption (the "Redemption
Value"). The special charge will be an amount equal to 1% of the
Redemption Value if the redemption occurs within the first two
years after purchase, and 0.50 of 1% of the Redemption Value if
the redemption occurs within the third or fourth year after
purchase. The special charge will apply to redemptions of CDSC
Class A Shares purchased without a sales charge pursuant to a
Letter of Intent, as described below under "Reduced Sales Charges
for Certain Purchasers of Class A Shares." The special charge
does not apply to shares acquired through the reinvestment of
dividends on CDSC Class A Shares or to any CDSC Class A Shares
held for more than four years after purchase. In determining
whether the special charge is applicable, it will be assumed that
the CDSC Class A Shares you have held the longest are the first
CDSC Class A Shares to be redeemed, unless you instruct the Agent
otherwise. It will also be assumed that if you have both CDSC
Class A Shares and non-CDSC Class A Shares the non-CDSC Class A
Shares will be redeemed first.
For purposes of determining the holding period for CDSC
Class A Shares, all of your purchases made during a calendar
month will be deemed to have been made on the first business day
of that month at the average cost of all purchases made during
that month. The four-year holding period will end on the first
business day of the 48th calendar month after the date your
purchase is deemed to have been made. Accordingly, the CDSC
holding period applicable to your CDSC Class A Shares may be up
to one month less than the full 48 months depending upon when
your actual purchase was made during a month. Running of the
48-month CDSC holding period will be suspended for one month for
each period of thirty days during which you have held shares of a
money market fund you have received in exchange for CDSC Class A
Shares under the Exchange Privilege. (See "Exchange Privilege.")
Reduced Sales Charges for Certain Purchases of
Class A Shares
Right of Accumulation: If you are a "single purchaser" you
may benefit from a reduction of the sales charge in accordance
with the above schedule for subsequent purchases of Class A
Shares if the cumulative value (at cost or current net asset
value, whichever is higher) of Class A Shares you have previously
purchased with a sales charge and still own, together with Class
A Shares of your subsequent purchase with such a charge, amounts
to $25,000 or more.
Letters of Intent: The foregoing schedule of reduced sales
charges will also be available to "single purchasers" who enter
into a written Letter of Intent (included in the Application)
providing for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of
Class A Shares of the Fund through a single selected dealer or
through the Distributor. Class A Shares of the Fund which you
previously purchased during a 90-day period prior to the date of
receipt by the Distributor of your Letter of Intent and which you
still own may also be included in determining the applicable
reduction. For further details, including escrow provisions, see
the Letter of Intent provisions of the Application.
General: Class A Shares may be purchased at the next
determined net asset value by the Fund's Trustees and officers,
by the directors, officers and certain employees, retired
employees and representatives of the Adviser and its parent and
affiliates, the Administrator and the Distributor, by selected
dealers and brokers and their officers and employees, by certain
persons connected with firms providing legal, advertising or
public relations assistance, by certain family members of, and
plans for the benefit of, the foregoing, and for the benefit of
trust or similar clients of banking institutions over which these
institutions have full investment authority if the Fund or the
Distributor has entered into an agreement relating to such
purchases. Except for the last category, purchasers must give
written assurance that the purchase is for investment and that
the Class A Shares will not be resold except through redemption.
There may be tax consequences of these purchases. Such purchasers
should consult their own tax counsel. Class A Shares may also be
issued at net asset value in a merger, acquisition or exchange
offer made pursuant to a plan of reorganization to which the Fund
is a party.
The Fund permits the sale of its Class A Shares at prices
that reflect the reduction or elimination of the sales charge to
investors who are members of certain qualified groups meeting the
following requirements. A qualified group (i) is a group or
association, or a category of purchasers who are represented by a
fiduciary, professional or other representative (other than a
registered broker-dealer), which (ii) satisfies uniform criteria
which enable the Distributor to realize economies of scale in its
costs of distributing shares; (iii) gives its endorsement or
authorization (if it is a group or association) to an investment
program to facilitate solicitation of its membership by a broker
or dealer; and (iv) complies with the conditions of purchase that
are set forth in any agreement entered into between the Fund and
the group, representative or broker or dealer. At the time of
purchase you must furnish the Distributor with information
sufficient to permit verification that the purchase qualifies for
a reduced sales charge, either directly or through a broker or
dealer.
Certain Investment Companies: Class A Shares of the Fund may
be purchased at net asset value without sales charge (except as
set forth below under "Special Dealer Arrangements") to the
extent that the aggregate net asset value of such Class A Shares
does not exceed the proceeds from a redemption (a "Qualified
Redemption"), made within 120 days prior to such purchase, of
shares of another investment company on which a sales charge,
including a contingent deferred sales charge, has been paid.
Additional information is available from the Distributor.
To qualify, the following special procedures must be
followed:
1. A completed Application (included in the Prospectus) and
payment for the shares to be purchased must be sent to the
Distributor, Aquila Distributors, Inc., 380 Madison Avenue,
Suite 2300, New York, NY 10017 and should not be sent to the
Shareholder Servicing Agent of the Fund, Administrative Data
Management Corp. (This instruction replaces the mailing
address contained on the Application.)
2. The Application must be accompanied by evidence
satisfactory to the Distributor that the prospective
shareholder has made a Qualified Redemption in an amount at
least equal to the net asset value of the Class A Shares to
be purchased. Satisfactory evidence includes a confirmation
of the date and the amount of the redemption from the
investment company, its transfer agent or the investor's
broker or dealer, or a copy of the investor's account
statement with the investment company reflecting the
redemption transaction.
3. You must complete and return to the Distributor a
Transfer Request Form, which is available from the
Distributor.
The Fund reserves the right to alter or terminate this
privilege at any time without notice. The Prospectus will be
supplemented to reflect such alteration or termination.
Special Dealer Arrangements: During certain periods
determined by the Distributor, the Distributor (not the Fund)
will pay to any dealer effecting a purchase of Class A Shares of
the Fund using the proceeds of a Qualified Redemption the lesser
of (i) 1% of such proceeds or (ii) the same amounts described
under "Purchase of $1 Million or More," above, on the same terms
and conditions. Class A Shares of the Fund issued in such a
transaction will be CDSC Class A Shares and if you thereafter
redeem all or part of such shares during the four-year period
from the date of purchase you will be subject to the special
contingent deferred sales charge described under "Purchase of $1
Million or More," above, on the same terms and conditions.
Whenever the Special Dealer Arrangements are in effect the
Prospectus will be supplemented.
How to Purchase Class C Shares (Level-Payment Class Shares)
Level-Payment Class Shares (Class C Shares) are offered at
net asset value with no sales charge payable at purchase. A level
charge is imposed for service and distribution fees for the first
six years after the date of purchase at the aggregate annual rate
of 1% of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by
the Class C Shares. If you redeem Class C Shares before you have
held them for 12 months from the date of purchase you will pay a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC"). The CDSC is charged at
the rate of 1%, calculated on the net asset value of the redeemed
Class C Shares at the time of purchase or at redemption,
whichever is less. There is no CDSC after Class C Shares have
been held beyond the applicable period. The CDSC does not apply
to shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends on Class
C Shares.
The Distributor will pay to any dealer effecting a purchase
of Class C Shares an amount equal to 1% of the sales price of the
Class C Shares purchased.
Additional Compensation for Dealers
The Distributor, at its own expense, may also provide
additional compensation to dealers in connection with sales of
any class of shares of the Fund. Additional compensation may
include payment or partial payment for advertising of the Fund's
shares, payment of travel expenses, including lodging, incurred
in connection with attendance at sales seminars taken by
qualifying registered representatives to locations within or
outside of the United States, other prizes or financial
assistance to securities dealers in offering their own seminars
or conferences. In some instances, such compensation may be made
available only to certain dealers whose representatives have sold
or are expected to sell significant amounts of such shares.
Dealers may not use sales of the Fund's shares to qualify for the
incentives to the extent such may be prohibited by the laws of
any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The cost to the
Distributor of such promotional activities and such payments to
participating dealers will not exceed the amount of the sales
charges in respect of sales of all classes of shares of the Fund
effected through such participating dealers, whether retained by
the Distributor or reallowed to participating dealers. No such
additional compensation to dealers in connection with sales of
shares of the Fund will affect the price you pay for shares or
the amount that the Fund will receive from such sales. Any of the
foregoing payments to be made by the Distributor may be made
instead by the Administrator out of its own funds, directly or
through the Distributor.
Brokers and dealers may receive different levels of
compensation for selling different classes of shares.
Systematic Payroll Investments
If your employer has established with the Fund a Systematic
Payroll Investment Plan ("Payroll Plan") you may arrange for
systematic investments into the Fund through the Payroll Plan.
Investments can be made in either Class A Shares or Class C
Shares. In order to participate in a Payroll Plan, you should
make arrangements with your own employer's payroll department,
and you must complete and sign any special application forms
which may be required by your employer. You must also complete
the Application included in the Prospectus. Once your application
is received and put into effect, under a Payroll Plan the
employer will make a deduction from payroll checks in an amount
you determine, and will remit the proceeds to the Fund. An
investment in the Fund will be made for you at the offering
price, which includes applicable sales charges determined as
described above, when the Fund receives the funds from your
employer. The Fund will send a confirmation of each transaction
to you. To change the amount of or to terminate your
participation in the Payroll Plan (which could take up to ten
days), you must notify your employer.
Confirmations and Share Certificates
All purchases of shares will be confirmed and credited to
you in an account maintained for you at the Agent in full and
fractional shares of the Fund (rounded to the nearest 1/1000th of
a share).
No share certificates will be issued for Class C Shares.
Share certificates for Class A Shares will be issued only if you
so request in writing to the Agent. All share certificates
previously issued by the Fund represent Class A Shares. No
certificates will be issued for fractional Class A shares or if
you have elected Automatic Investment or Telephone Investment for
Class A Shares (see "How to Invest in the Fund" above) or
Expedited Redemption (see "How to Redeem Your Investment" below).
If certificates for Class A Shares are issued at your request,
Expedited Redemption Methods described below will not be
available. In addition, you may incur delay and expense if you
lose the certificates.
The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any
order for the purchase of shares. In addition, the offering of
shares may be suspended at any time and resumed at any time
thereafter.
Distribution Plan
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the "Plan") under
Rule 12b-1 (the "Rule") under the 1940 Act. The Rule provides in
substance that an investment company may not engage directly or
indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended
to result in the sale of its shares except pursuant to a written
plan adopted under the Rule. The Plan has three parts.
Under one part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make
payments with respect to Class A Shares ("Class A Permitted
Payments") to Qualified Recipients, which payments shall be made
through the Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as
disbursing agent and may not exceed, for any fiscal year of the
Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal year during
which payments under the Plan are not accruable or for any fiscal
year which is not a full fiscal year), with respect to net assets
of the Fund up to $250 million represented by the Class A Shares
of the Fund, 0.05 of 1% of average annual net assets and 0.15 of
1% with respect to such assets above that amount. Such payments
shall be made only out of the Fund's assets allocable to the
Class A Shares. "Qualified Recipients" means broker-dealers or
others selected by the Distributor, including but not limited to
any principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Fund or the
Distributor has entered into written agreements and which have
rendered assistance (whether direct, administrative, or both) in
the distribution and/or retention of the Fund's Class A Shares or
servicing of accounts of shareholders owning Class A Shares.
The Board of Trustees and shareholders have approved certain
changes to the Plan, the Investment Advisory Agreement (the
"Advisory Agreement") and the Administration Agreement (the
"Administration Agreement") of the Fund which will allow the Fund
to make payments to Qualified Recipients, as defined in the Plan,
at an annual rate of 0.15 of 1% of all of the Fund's average
annual net assets represented by Class A Shares. The proposed
increased payments will be accompanied by matching reductions in
fees payable currently to the Adviser and Administrator. The
annual rates of the advisory fee will be reduced from 0.20 of 1%
to 0.16 of 1% and the rate of the administration fee will be
reduced from 0.30 of 1% to 0.24 of 1% of the Fund's average
annual net assets. The combined payments of these fees will
accordingly remain at the current level of 0.55 of 1% of the
average annual net assets represented by the Class A Shares.
Implementation of this change was to have taken place on the
earlier of the first day of the calendar quarter after the
quarter in which the Fund's net assets exceed $250 million (which
has not yet occurred) or October 1, 1996. At the date of the
Prospectus, management of the Fund has determined that
implementation of the changes should be indefinitely postponed.
When and if it is determined to implement the changes the
Prospectus will be supplemented.
Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to
make payments with respect to Class C Shares ("Class C Permitted
Payments") to Qualified Recipients. Class C Permitted Payments
shall be made through the Distributor or shareholder servicing
agent as disbursing agent, and may not exceed, for any fiscal
year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal
year during which payments under the Plan are not accruable or
for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), 0.75 of 1%
of the average annual net assets represented by the Class C
Shares of the Fund. Such payments shall be made only out of the
Fund's assets allocable to the Class C Shares. "Qualified
Recipients" means broker-dealers or others selected by the
Distributor, including but not limited to any principal
underwriter of the Fund, with which the Fund or the Distributor
has entered into written agreements and which have rendered
assistance (whether direct, administrative, or both) in the
distribution and/or retention of the Fund's Class C Shares or
servicing of accounts of shareholders owning Class C Shares.
Payments with respect to Class C Shares during the first year
after purchase are paid to the Distributor and thereafter to
other Qualified Recipients.
Payments under the Plan commenced as of July 1, 1994. Until
April 30, 1996, all outstanding shares of the Fund were what are
currently designated Class A Shares. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996, $107,593 was paid under the Plan to Qualified
Recipients with respect to Class A Shares, of which $2,606 was
paid to the Distributor. During the period April 30, 1996 through
December 31, 1996, $1,662 was paid with respect to Class C
Shares, all of which was retained by the Distributor. (See the
Additional Statement for a description of the Distribution Plan.)
Another part of the Plan is designed to protect against any
claim against or involving the Fund that some of the expenses
which might be considered to be sales-related which the Fund pays
or may pay come within the purview of the Rule. The Fund believes
that except for Permitted Payments it is not financing any such
activity and does not consider any payment enumerated in this
part of the Plan as so financing any such activity. However, it
might be claimed that some of the expenses the Fund pays come
within the purview of the Rule. If and to the extent that any
payment as specifically listed in the Plan (see the Additional
Statement) is considered to be primarily intended to result in or
as indirect financing of any activity which is primarily intended
to result in the sale of Fund shares, these payments are
authorized under the Plan. In addition, if the Administrator, out
of its own funds, makes payment for distribution expenses such
payments are authorized. See the Additional Statement.
Shareholder Services Plan for Class C Shares
Under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to
make payments with respect to Class C Shares ("Service Fees") to
Qualified Recipients. Service Fees shall be paid through the
Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as disbursing agent,
and may not exceed, for any fiscal year of the Fund (as adjusted
for any part or parts of a fiscal year during which payments
under the Plan are not accruable or for any fiscal year which is
not a full fiscal year), 0.25 of 1% of the average annual net
assets represented by the Class C Shares of the Fund. Such
payments shall be made only out of the Fund's assets represented
by the Class C Shares. "Qualified Recipients" means
broker-dealers or others selected by the Distributor, including
but not limited to any principal underwriter of the Fund, with
which the Fund or the Distributor has entered into written
agreements and which have agreed to provide personal services to
holders of Class C Shares and/or maintenance of Class C
shareholder accounts. See the Additional Statement. Service Fees
with respect to Class C Shares will be paid to the Distributor.
HOW TO REDEEM YOUR INVESTMENT
You may redeem all or any part of your shares at the net
asset value next determined after acceptance of your redemption
request at the Agent (subject to any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge for redemptions of Class C Shares and CDSC
Class A Shares). For redemptions of Class C Shares and CDSC Class
A Shares, at the time of redemption a sufficient number of
additional shares will be redeemed to pay for any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge. Redemptions can be made by the
various methods described below. There is no minimum period for
any investment in the Fund, except for shares recently purchased
by check, Automatic Investment or Telephone Investment as
discussed below. Except for CDSC Class A Shares (see "Purchase of
$1 Million or More") there are no redemption fees or withdrawal
penalties for Class A Shares. Class C Shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed before they have
been held 12 months from the date of purchase. (See "Alternative
Purchase Plans.") A redemption may result in a transaction
taxable to you. If you own both Class A Shares and Class C Shares
and do not specify which you wish to redeem, it will be assumed
that you wish to redeem Class A Shares.
For your convenience the Fund offers expedited redemption
for all classes of shares to provide you with a high level of
liquidity for your investment.
Expedited Redemption Methods
(Non-Certificate Shares)
You have the flexibility of two expedited methods of
initiating redemptions. They are available as to shares of any
class not represented by certificates.
1. By Telephone. The Agent will accept instructions by
telephone from anyone to redeem shares and make payments
a) to a Financial Institution account you have
predesignated or
b) by check in the amount of $50,000 or less, mailed to
you, if your shares are registered in your name at the
Fund and the check is sent to your address of record,
provided that there has not been a change of your
address of record during the 30 days preceding your
redemption request. You can make only one request for
telephone redemption by check in any 7-day period.
See "Redemption Payments" below for payment methods. Your
name, your account number and your address of record must be
supplied.
To redeem an investment by this method, telephone:
800-872-2651 toll free or 908-855-5731
Note: The Fund, the Agent, and the Distributor will not be
responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if the Agent follows reasonable procedures designed
to verify the identity of the caller. The Agent will request some
or all of the following information: account name(s) and number,
name of the caller, the social security number registered to the
account and personal identification. The Agent may also record
calls. You should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately upon receipt.
2. By FAX or Mail. You may also request redemption payments
to a predesignated Financial Institution account by a letter
of instruction sent to: Administrative Data Management
Corp., Attn: Aquilasm Group of Funds, by FAX at 908-855-5730
or by mail at 581 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198,
indicating account name(s), account number, amount to be
redeemed, and any payment directions, signed by the
registered holder(s). Signature guarantees are not required.
See "Redemption Payments" below for payment methods.
If you wish to have redemption proceeds sent to a Financial
Institution Account, you should so elect on the Expedited
Redemption section of the Application or the Ready Access
Features form and provide the required information concerning
your Financial Institution account number. The Financial
Institution account must be in the exclusive name(s) of the
shareholder(s) as registered with the Fund. You may change the
designated Financial Institution account at any time by
completing and returning a Ready Access Features form. For
protection of your assets, this form requires signature
guarantees and possible additional documentation.
Regular Redemption Method
(Certificate and Non-Certificate Shares)
1. Certificate Shares. Certificates representing Class A
Shares to be redeemed should be sent in blank (unsigned) to
the Fund's Shareholder Servicing Agent: Administrative Data
Management Corp., Attn: Aquilasm Group of Funds, 581 Main
Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198, with payment
instructions. A stock assignment form signed by the
registered shareholder(s) exactly as the account is
registered must also be sent to the Shareholder Servicing
Agent.
For your own protection, it is essential that certificates
be mailed separately from signed redemption documentation.
Because of possible mail problems, it is also recommended that
certificates be sent by registered mail, return receipt
requested.
For a redemption request to be in "proper form," the
signature or signatures must be the same as in the registration
of the account. In a joint account, the signatures of both
shareholders are necessary. Signature guarantees may be required
if sufficient documentation is not on file with the Agent.
Additional documentation may be required where shares are held by
certain types of shareholders such as corporations, partnerships,
trustees or executors, or if redemption is requested by other
than the shareholder of record. If redemption proceeds of $50,000
or less are payable to the record holder and are to be sent to
the record address, no signature guarantee is required, except as
noted above. In all other cases, signatures must be guaranteed by
a member of a national securities exchange, a U.S. bank or trust
company, a state-chartered savings bank, a federally chartered
savings and loan association, a foreign bank having a U.S.
correspondent bank, a participant in the Securities Transfer
Association Medallion Program (STAMP), the Stock Exchanges
Medallion Program (SEMP) or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Medallion Signature Program (MSP). A notary public is not an
acceptable signature guarantor.
2. Non-Certificate Shares. If you own non-certificate shares
registered on the books of the Fund, and you have not
elected Expedited Redemption to a predesignated Financial
Institution account, you must use the Regular Redemption
Method. Under this redemption method you should send a
letter of instruction to: Administrative Data Management
Corp., Attn: Aquilasm Group of Funds, 581 Main Street,
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198, containing:
Account Name(s);
Account Number;
Dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed or a
statement that all shares held in the account are to be
redeemed;
Payment instructions (normally redemption proceeds will
be mailed to your address as registered with the
Fund);
Signature(s) of the registered shareholder(s); and
Signature guarantee(s), if required, as indicated
above.
Redemption Payments
Redemption payments will ordinarily be mailed to you at your
address of record. If you so request and the amount of your
redemption proceeds is $1,000 or more, the proceeds will,
wherever possible, be wired or transferred through the facilities
of the Automated Clearing House to the Financial Institution
account specified in the Expedited Redemption section of your
Application or Ready Access Features form. The Fund may impose a
charge, not exceeding $5.00 per wire redemption, after written
notice to shareholders who have elected this redemption
procedure. The Fund has no present intention of making this
charge. Upon 30 days' written notice to shareholders, the Fund
may modify or terminate the use of the Automated Clearing House
to make redemption payments at any time or charge a service fee,
although no such fee is presently contemplated. If any such
changes are made, the Prospectus will be supplemented to reflect
them. If you use a broker or dealer to arrange for a redemption,
it may charge you a fee for this service.
The Fund will normally make payment for all shares redeemed
on the next business day (see "Net Asset Value Per Share")
following acceptance of the redemption request made in compliance
with one of the redemption methods specified above. Except as set
forth below, in no event will payment be made more than seven
days after acceptance of such a redemption request. However, the
right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment
postponed (i) during periods when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed for other than weekends and holidays or when trading on
such Exchange is restricted as determined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission by rule or regulation; (ii) during periods in
which an emergency, as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, exists which causes disposal of, or valuation of the
net asset value of, the portfolio securities to be unreasonable
or impracticable; or (iii) for such other periods as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may permit. Payment for
redemption of shares recently purchased by check (irrespective of
whether the check is a regular check or a certified, cashier's or
official bank check) or by Automatic Investment or Telephone
Investment may be delayed up to 15 days or until (i) the purchase
check or Automatic Investment or Telephone Investment has been
honored or (ii) the Agent has received assurances by telephone or
in writing from the Financial Institution on which the purchase
check was drawn, or from which the funds for Automatic Investment
or Telephone Investment were transferred, satisfactory to the
Agent and the Fund, that the purchase check or Automatic
Investment or Telephone Investment will be honored. Possible
delays in payment of redemption proceeds can be eliminated by
using wire payments or Federal Reserve drafts to pay for
purchases.
If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to
make payment wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the
redemption price in whole or in part by the distribution in kind
of securities from the portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in
conformity with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. See the Additional Statement for details.
The Fund has the right to compel the redemption of shares
held in any account if the aggregate net asset value of such
shares is less than $500 as a result of shareholder redemptions
or failure to meet the minimum investment level under an
Automatic Purchase Program. If the Board elects to do this,
shareholders who are affected will receive prior written notice
and will be permitted 60 days to bring their accounts up to the
minimum before this redemption is processed.
Reinvestment Privilege
You may reinvest without payment of any additional sales
charge all or part of any redemption proceeds within 120 days of
a redemption of shares in shares of the Fund of the same class as
the shares redeemed at the net asset value next determined after
the Agent receives your reinvestment order. In the case of Class
C Shares or CDSC Class A Shares on which a contingent deferred
sales charge was deducted at the time of redemption, the
Distributor will refund to you the amount of such sales charge,
which will be added to the amount of the reinvestment. The Class
C Shares or CDSC Class A Shares issued on reinvestment will be
deemed to have been outstanding from the date of your original
purchase of the redeemed shares, less the period from redemption
to reinvestment. The reinvestment privilege for any class may be
exercised only once a year, unless otherwise approved by the
Distributor. If you have realized a gain on the redemption of
your shares, the redemption transaction is taxable, and
reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax payable. If
there has been a loss on the redemption, some or all of the loss
may be tax deductible, depending on the amount reinvested and the
length of time between the redemption and the reinvestment. You
should consult your own tax advisor on this matter.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
You may establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan if you own or
purchase Class A Shares of the Fund having a net asset value of
at least $5,000. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan is not available
for Class C Shares.
Under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan you will receive a
monthly or quarterly check in a stated amount, not less than $50.
If such a plan is established, all dividends and distributions
must be reinvested in your shareholder account. Redemption of
Class A Shares to make payments under the Automatic Withdrawal
Plan will give rise to a gain or loss for tax purposes. See the
Automatic Withdrawal Plan provisions of the Application included
in the Prospectus, the Additional Statement under "Automatic
Withdrawal Plan," and "Dividend and Tax Information" below.
Purchases of additional Class A Shares concurrently with
withdrawals are undesirable because of sales charges when
purchases are made. Accordingly, you may not maintain an
Automatic Withdrawal Plan while simultaneously making regular
purchases. While an occasional lump sum investment may be made,
such investment should normally be an amount at least equal to
three times the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less.
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Board of Trustees
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the
direction and control of its Board of Trustees. The Additional
Statement lists the Fund's Trustees and officers and provides
further information about them.
The Advisory Agreement
Information about the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the
Distributor
KPM Investment Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") supervises
the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its
portfolio. The services of the Adviser are rendered under an
Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") which
provides, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, for
investment supervision of the Fund; at the Adviser's expense
providing for pricing of the Fund's portfolio daily using a
pricing service or other sources of pricing information
satisfactory to the Fund and, unless otherwise directed by the
Board of Trustees, providing for pricing of the Fund's portfolio
at least quarterly using another such source satisfactory to the
Fund. Fund accounting services are performed by the
Administrator.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays all
compensation of those officers and employees of the Fund and of
those Trustees, if any, who are affiliated with the Adviser.
Additionally, the Adviser agrees that it shall, at the Adviser's
expense, provide to the Fund all office space, facilities,
equipment and clerical personnel necessary for the carrying out
of the Adviser's duties under the Advisory Agreement.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund bears the cost of
preparing and setting in type its prospectuses, statements of
additional information, and reports to shareholders and the costs
of printing or otherwise producing and distributing those copies
of such prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports as are sent to its shareholders. Under the Advisory
Agreement, all costs and expenses not expressly assumed by the
Adviser or by the Administrator under the Administration
Agreement, or by the Fund's Distributor (principal underwriter),
are paid by the Fund. The Advisory Agreement lists examples of
such expenses borne by the Fund, the major categories of such
expenses being: legal and audit expenses, custodian, transfer
agent and shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses, stock
issuance and redemption costs, certain printing costs,
registration costs of the Fund and its shares under Federal and
State securities laws, interest, taxes and brokerage commissions,
and non-recurring expenses, including litigation.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays a fee payable
monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the
close of business each business day at the annual rate of 0.20 of
1% of the Fund's net assets, provided, however, that for any day
that the Fund pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan
of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee
shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.20 of 1% of such assets
up to $250 million and at the annual rate of 0.16 of 1% of such
net asset value with respect to assets of the Fund above that
amount.
The total investment advisory and administration fees which
the Fund pays are at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of such net
assets, since the Administrator also receives a fee from the Fund
under the Administration Agreement; see below. The Adviser and
the Administrator may, in order to attempt to achieve a
competitive yield on the shares of the Fund, each waive all or
part of any such fees. In practice, the rate of these fee waivers
tends to decline as assets of the Fund increase.
The Board of Trustees and shareholders of the Fund have
approved certain changes to the Advisory Agreement with
reductions in fees payable to the Adviser from an annual rate of
0.20 of 1% to 0.16 of 1% of all of the Fund's average annual net
assets. These reductions will be accompanied by reductions in the
fees payable to the Administrator (see "Administration
Agreement") and will match an increase in payments under the
Fund's Distribution Plan to keep the combined payments of the
Fund at current levels. (See "Distribution Plan.") The changes
were not to be implemented until the earlier of October 1, 1996
or the first day of the next succeeding calendar quarter after
the quarter in which the net assets of the Fund exceed $250
million. At the date of the Prospectus, implementation of these
changes has been postponed indefinitely. When and if it is
determined to implement these changes the Prospectus will be
supplemented. Until such time the current arrangements will
remain in effect. (See "Distribution Plan.")
The Adviser agrees that the above fee shall be reduced, but
not below zero, by an amount equal to its pro-rata portion (based
upon the aggregate fees of the Adviser and the Administrator) of
the amount, if any, by which the total expenses of the Fund in
any fiscal year, exclusive of taxes, interest and brokerage fees,
shall exceed the lesser of (i) 2.5% of the first $30 million of
average annual net assets of the Fund plus 2% of the next $70
million of such assets plus 1.5% of its average annual net assets
in excess of $100 million, or (ii) 25% of the Fund's total annual
investment income.
The Advisory Agreement contains provisions as to the
allocation of the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under these
provisions, the Adviser is authorized to consider sales of shares
of the Fund or of any other investment company or companies
having the same investment adviser, sub-adviser, administrator or
principal underwriter as the Fund. See the Additional Statement
for a description of these provisions and prior advisory
arrangements.
The Administration Agreement
Under an Administration Agreement (the "Administration
Agreement"), Aquila Management Corporation as Administrator, at
its own expense, provides office space, personnel, facilities and
equipment for the performance of its functions thereunder and as
is necessary in connection with the maintenance of the
headquarters of the Fund and pays all compensation of the Fund's
Trustees, officers and employees who are affiliated persons of
the Administrator.
Under the Administration Agreement, subject to the control
of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Administrator provides all
administrative services to the Fund other than those relating to
its investment portfolio. Such administrative services include
but are not limited to maintaining books and records of the Fund,
either keeping the accounting records of the Fund, including the
computation of net asset value per share and the dividends or, at
its expense and responsibility, delegating such duties in whole
or in part to a company satisfactory to the Fund (however, the
daily pricing of the Fund's portfolio is the responsibility of
the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement), overseeing all
relationships between the Fund and its transfer agent, custodian,
legal counsel, auditors and principal underwriter, including the
negotiation of agreements in relation thereto, the supervision
and coordination of the performance of such agreements, and the
overseeing of all administrative matters which are necessary or
desirable for effective operation of the Fund and for the sale,
servicing, or redemption of the Fund's shares. See the Additional
Statement for a further description of functions listed in the
Administration Agreement as part of such duties.
Under the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays a fee
payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund
as of the close of business each business day at the annual rate
of 0.30 of 1% of the Fund's net assets, provided, however, that
for any day that the Fund pays or accrues a fee under the
Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund,
the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.30 of 1%
of such assets up to $250 million (the "Base Amount"), and at the
annual rate of 0.24 of 1% of such net asset value with respect to
assets of the Fund above $250 million. The Administrator agrees
that the above fee shall be reduced, but not below zero, by an
amount equal to its pro-rata portion (based upon the aggregate
fees of the Adviser and the Administrator) of the amount, if any,
by which the total expenses of the Fund in any fiscal year,
exclusive of taxes, interest and brokerage fees, shall exceed the
lesser of (i) 2.5% of the first $30 million of average annual net
assets of the Fund plus 2% of the next $70 million of such assets
plus 1.5% of its average annual net assets in excess of $100
million, or (ii) 25% of the Fund's total annual investment
income.
The Board of Trustees has approved certain changes to the
Administration Agreement with reductions in fees payable to the
Administrator from an annual rate of 0.30 of 1% to 0.24 of 1% of
all of the Fund's average annual net assets. These reductions
will be accompanied by reductions in the fees payable to the
Adviser (see "Advisory Agreement") and will match an increase in
payments under the Fund's Distribution Plan to keep the combined
payments of the Fund at current levels. (See "Distribution
Plan.") The changes were not to be implemented until the earlier
of October 1, 1996 or the first day of the next succeeding
calendar quarter after the quarter in which the net assets of the
Fund exceed $250 million. At the date of the Prospectus,
implementation of these changes has been postponed indefinitely.
When and if it is determined to implement these changes the
Prospectus will be supplemented. Until such time the current
arrangements will remain in effect.
Information as to the Adviser,
the Administrator and the Distributor
The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KFS Corporation,
a member of the Mutual of Omaha Companies. The Fund's portfolio
is managed in the Adviser's Denver office. Founded in 1981, the
Adviser provides discretionary equity fixed income and balanced
account management to mutual funds, retirement plans,
foundations, endowments and high net-worth individuals and
currently manages over $1 billion of clients' assets.
Mr. Christopher Johns is the Fund's portfolio manager. Mr.
Johns has been a Vice President of the Adviser since 1992. From
1984 through 1992, he was a portfolio manager at United Bank of
Denver (now Norwest Bank, Denver) when it acted as investment
adviser to the Fund. He was formerly a portfolio manager of
Toledo Trust Company. He holds the degree of BBA in Finance from
the University of Cincinnati. Mr. John Wyszynski is the back-up
portfolio manager. He has been employed by the Adviser since 1993
as a Vice President. He has 14 years experience in managing
Colorado Obligations having worked a several firms including
Kirchner Moore and First Interstate Bank of Denver. He has an MBA
in Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago.
The Adviser has its primary office at 10250 Regency Circle,
Omaha, NE 68114 and its Denver office is located at One Norwest
Center, 1700 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203. Since 1983, the
Adviser has been wholly-owned by Mutual of Omaha Insurance
Company, whose principal office is at Mutual of Omaha Plaza,
Omaha, NE 68175.
For the year ended December 31, 1996, advisory fees of
$429,661 were paid or accrued to the Adviser, of which $7,388 was
voluntarily waived.
The Fund's Administrator is founder and administrator to the
Aquilasm Group of Funds, which consists of tax-free municipal
bond funds, money market funds and two equity funds. As of
December 31, 1996, these funds had aggregate assets of
approximately $2.7 billion, of which approximately $1.9 billion
consisted of assets of the tax-free municipal bond funds. The
Administrator, which was founded in 1984, is controlled by Mr.
Lacy B. Herrmann (directly, through a trust and through share
ownership by his wife). See the Additional Statement for
information on Mr. Herrmann.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, administration fees
of $644,125 were paid or accrued to the Administrator under the
Administration Agreement of which $99,853 was voluntarily waived.
The Distributor currently handles the distribution of the
shares of fourteen funds (five money market funds, seven tax-free
municipal bond funds and two equity funds), including the Fund.
Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is responsible
for the payment of certain printing and distribution costs
relating to prospectuses and reports as well as the costs of
supplemental sales literature, advertising and other promotional
activities.
At the date of this Prospectus, there is a proposed
transaction whereby all of the shares of the Distributor, which
are currently owned by Mr. Herrmann, will be owned by certain
directors and/or officers of the Administrator and/or the
Distributor, including Mr. Herrmann.
DIVIDEND AND TAX INFORMATION
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund will declare all of its net income, as defined
below, as dividends on every day, including weekends and
holidays, on those shares outstanding for which payment was
received by the close of business on the preceding business day.
Net income for dividend purposes includes all interest income
accrued by the Fund since the previous dividend declaration,
including accretion of any original issue discount, less expenses
paid or accrued. As such net income will vary, the Fund's
dividends will also vary. The per-share dividends of Class C
Shares will be lower than the per share dividends on the Class A
Shares as a result of the higher service and distribution fees
applicable to those shares. In addition, the dividends of each
class can vary because each class will bear certain
class-specific charges. Dividends and other distributions paid by
the Fund with respect to each class of its shares are calculated
at the same time and in the same manner.
It is the Fund's present policy to pay dividends so that
they will be received or credited by approximately the first day
of each month. Shareholders may elect to have dividends deposited
without charge by electronic funds transfers into an account at a
Financial Institution which is a member of the Automated Clearing
House by completing a Ready Access Features form.
Redeemed shares continue to earn dividends through and
including the earlier of (i) the day before the day on which the
redemption proceeds are mailed, wired or transferred by the
facilities of the Automated Clearing House by the Agent or paid
by the Agent to a selected dealer; or (ii) the third day on which
the New York Stock Exchange is open after the day on which the
net asset value of the redeemed shares has been determined (see
"How To Redeem Your Investment").
Net investment income includes amounts of income from the
Colorado Obligations in the Fund's portfolio which are allocated
as "exempt-interest dividends." "Exempt-interest dividends" are
exempt from regular Federal income tax. The allocation of
"exempt-interest dividends" will be made by the use of one
designated percentage applied uniformly to all income dividends
declared during the Fund's tax year. Such designation will
normally be made in the first month after the end of each of the
Fund's fiscal years as to income dividends paid in the prior
year. It is possible that in certain circumstances, a small
portion of the dividends paid by the Fund will be subject to
income taxes. During the Fund's fiscal year ended December 31,
1996, 97.86% of the Fund's dividends were "exempt-interest
dividends." For the calendar year 1996, 2.14% of the total
dividends paid were taxable as ordinary income. The percentage of
income designated as tax-exempt for any particular dividend may
be different from the percentage of the Fund's income that was
tax-exempt during the period covered by the dividend.
Distributions ("short-term gains distributions") from net
realized short-term gains, if any, and distributions ("long-term
gains distributions"), if any, from the excess of net long-term
capital gains over net short-term capital losses realized through
October 31st of each year and not previously paid out will be
paid out after that date; the Fund may also pay supplemental
distributions after the end of its fiscal year. If net capital
losses are realized in any year, they are charged against capital
and not against net investment income which is distributed
regardless of gains or losses. The Fund may be required to impose
backup withholding at a rate of 31% upon payment of redemptions
to shareholders, and from short- and long-term gains
distributions (if any) and any other distributions that do not
qualify as "exempt-interest dividends," if shareholders do not
comply with provisions of the law relating to the furnishing of
taxpayer identification numbers and reporting of dividends.
Unless you request otherwise by letter addressed to the
Agent or by filing an appropriate Application prior to a given
ex-dividend date, dividends and distributions will be
automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the
Fund at net asset value on the record date for the dividend or
distribution or other date fixed by the Board of Trustees. An
election to receive cash will continue in effect until written
notification of a change is received by the Agent. All
shareholders, whether their dividends are received in cash or are
being reinvested, will receive a monthly account summary
indicating the current status of their investment. There is no
fixed dividend rate. Corporate shareholders of the Fund are not
entitled to any deduction for dividends received from the Fund.
Tax Information
The Fund qualified during its last fiscal year as a
"regulated investment company" under the Code, and intends to
continue to so qualify. If it does so qualify, it will not be
liable for Federal income taxes on amounts paid by it as
dividends and distributions. However, the Code contains a number
of complex tests relating to such qualification and it is
possible although not likely that the Fund might not meet one or
more of these tests in any particular year. If it does not so
qualify, it would be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary
corporation, would receive no tax deduction for payments made to
shareholders and would be unable to pay dividends or
distributions which would qualify as "exempt-interest dividends"
or "capital gains dividends," as discussed below.
The Fund intends to qualify during each fiscal year under
the Code to pay "exempt-interest dividends" to its shareholders.
Exempt-interest dividends which are derived from net income
earned by the Fund on Colorado Obligations will be excludable
from gross income of the shareholders for regular Federal income
tax purposes. Capital gains dividends are not included in
exempt-interest dividends. Although "exempt-interest dividends"
are not taxed, each taxpayer must report the total amount of
tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends from the
Fund) received or acquired during the year.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 requires that
either gains realized by the Fund on the sale of municipal
obligations acquired after April 30, 1993 at a price which is
less than face or redemption value be included as ordinary income
to the extent such gains do not exceed such discount or that the
discount be amortized and included ratably in taxable income.
There is an exception to the foregoing treatment if the amount of
the discount is less than 0.25% of face or redemption value
multiplied by the number of years from acquisition to maturity.
The Fund will report such ordinary income in the years of sale or
redemption rather than amortize the discount and report it
ratably. To the extent the resultant ordinary taxable income is
distributed to shareholders, it will be taxable to them as
ordinary income.
Capital gains dividends (net long-term gains over net
short-term losses which the Fund distributes and so designates)
are reportable by shareholders as long-term capital gains. This
is the case whether the shareholder takes the distribution in
cash or elects to have the distribution reinvested in Fund shares
and regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his
or her shares. Capital gains are taxed at the same rates as
ordinary income, except that for individuals, trusts and estates
the maximum tax rate on capital gains distributions is 28% even
if the applicable rate on ordinary income for such taxpayers is
higher than 28%.
Short-term gains, when distributed, are taxed to
shareholders as ordinary income. Capital losses of the Fund are
not distributed but carried forward by the Fund to offset gains
in later years and thereby lessen the later-year capital gains
dividends and amounts taxed to shareholders.
The Fund's gains or losses on sales of Colorado Obligations
will be long-term or short-term depending upon the length of time
the Fund has held such obligations. Capital gains and losses of
the Fund will also include gains and losses on Futures and
options, if any, including gains and losses actually realized on
sales and exchanges and gains and losses deemed to be realized.
Those deemed to be realized are on Futures and options held by
the Fund at year-end, which are "marked to the market," that is,
deemed sold for fair market value. Net gains or losses realized
and deemed realized on Futures and options will be reportable by
the Fund as long-term to the extent of 60% of the gains or losses
and short-term to the extent of 40% regardless of the actual
holding period of such investments.
Information as to the tax status of the Fund's dividends and
distributions will be mailed to shareholders annually.
Under the Code, interest on loans incurred by shareholders
to enable them to purchase or carry shares of the Fund may not be
deducted for regular Federal tax purposes. In addition, under
rules used by the Internal Revenue Service for determining when
borrowed funds are deemed used for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying particular assets, the purchase of shares of the Fund
may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even
though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the
purchase of shares. The receipt of exempt-interest dividends from
the Fund by an individual shareholder may result in some portion
of any social security payments or railroad retirement benefits
received by the shareholder or the shareholder's spouse being
included in taxable income. Persons who are "substantial users"
(or persons related thereto) of facilities financed by industrial
development bonds or private activity bonds should consult their
own tax advisers before purchasing shares.
While interest from all Colorado Obligations is tax-exempt
for purposes of computing the shareholder's regular tax, interest
from so-called private activity bonds issued after August 7,
1986, constitutes a tax preference for both individuals and
corporations and thus will enter into a computation of the
alternative minimum tax. Whether or not that computation will
result in a tax will depend on the entire content of the
taxpayer's return. The Fund will not invest in the types of
Colorado Obligations which would give rise to interest that would
be subject to alternative minimum taxation if more than 20% of
its net assets would be so invested, and may refrain from
investing in that type of bond completely. The 20% limit is a
fundamental policy of the Fund.
Corporate shareholders must add to or subtract from
alternative minimum taxable income, as calculated before taking
into consideration this adjustment, 75% of the difference between
what is called adjusted current earnings (essentially current
earnings and profits) and alternative minimum taxable income, as
previously calculated. Since tax-exempt bond interest is included
in earnings and profits and therefore in adjusted current
earnings, this adjustment will tend to make it more likely that
corporate shareholders will be subject to the alternative minimum
tax.
Tax Effects of Redemptions
Normally, when you redeem shares of the Fund you will
recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between
the proceeds received in the redemption and the amount you paid
for the shares. If you are required to pay a contingent deferred
sales charge at the time of redemption, the amount of that charge
will reduce the amount of your gain or increase the amount of
your loss as the case may be. Your gain or loss will be long-term
if you held the redeemed shares for over a year, and short-term,
if for a year or less. However, if shares held for six months or
less are redeemed and you have a loss, two special rules apply:
the loss is reduced by the amount of exempt-interest dividends,
if any, which you received on the redeemed shares, and any loss
over and above the amount of such exempt-interest dividends is
treated as a long-term loss to the extent you have received
capital gains dividends on the redeemed shares.
Tax Effect of Conversion
Class C Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares
approximately six years after purchase. No gain or loss will be
recognized by the Fund or its shareholders upon such conversions;
each shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the Class A Shares
received upon conversion will equal the shareholder's adjusted
tax basis in the Class C Shares held immediately before the
conversion; and each shareholder's holding period for the Class A
Shares received upon conversion will include the period for which
the shareholder held as capital assets the converted Class C
Shares immediately before conversion.
Colorado Tax Information
Dividends and distributions made by the Fund to Colorado
individuals, trusts, estates and corporations subject to the
Colorado income tax will generally be treated for Colorado income
tax purposes in the same manner as they are treated under the
Code for Federal income tax purposes. Since the Fund may, except
as indicated below, purchase only Colorado Obligations (which, as
defined, means obligations, including those of non-Colorado
issuers, of any maturity which pay interest which, in the opinion
of counsel, is exempt from regular Federal income taxes and
Colorado income taxes), none of the exempt-interest dividends
paid by the Fund will be subject to Colorado income tax. The Fund
may also pay "short-term gains distributions" and "long-term
gains distributions," each as discussed under "Dividends and
Distributions" above. Under Colorado income tax law, each
short-term gains distribution will be treated as a short-term
gain and each long-term gains distribution will be treated as a
long-term capital gain. The only investment which the Fund may
make other than in Colorado Obligations is in Futures and options
on them. Any gains on Futures and options (including gains
imputed under the Code) paid as part or all of a short-term gains
distribution or a long-term gains distribution will be taxed as
indicated above.
Persons or entities who are not Colorado residents should
not be subject to Colorado income taxation on dividends and
distributions made by the Fund unless the nonresident employs his
or her interest in the Fund in a business, trade, profession or
occupation carried on in Colorado but may be subject to other
state and local taxes. As intangibles, shares of the Fund will be
exempt from Colorado property taxes.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
There is an exchange privilege as set forth below among this
Fund and certain tax-free municipal bond funds and two equity
funds (the "Bond or Equity Funds") and certain money market funds
(the "Money-Market Funds"), all of which are sponsored by Aquila
Management Corporation and Aquila Distributors, Inc., and have
the same Administrator and Distributor as the Fund. All exchanges
are subject to certain conditions described below. As of the date
of the Prospectus, the Aquila-sponsored Bond or Equity Funds are
this Fund, Aquila Rocky Mountain Equity Fund, Aquila Cascadia
Equity Fund, Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust, Tax-Free Trust of Arizona,
Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky,
Tax-Free Fund For Utah and Narragansett Insured Tax-Free Income
Fund; the Aquila Money-Market Funds are Capital Cash Management
Trust, Pacific Capital Cash Assets Trust (Original Shares),
Pacific Capital Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust (Original Shares),
Pacific Capital U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust (Original
Shares) and Churchill Cash Reserves Trust.
Class A Shares of the Fund can be exchanged only into Class
A Shares of any Bond or Equity Fund or into shares of the
Money-Market Funds. Class C Shares can be exchanged only into
Class C Shares of any Bond or Equity Fund or into shares of the
Money-Market Funds.
Class A Shares Exchange Privilege
Under the Class A Shares exchange privilege, once any
applicable sales charge has been paid on Class A Shares of any
Bond or Equity Fund, those shares (and any Class A Shares
acquired as a result of reinvestment of dividends and/or
distributions) may be exchanged any number of times between
Money-Market Funds and Bond or Equity Funds without the payment
of any additional sales charge.
CDSC Class A Shares of the Fund (see "Purchase of $1 Million
or More" and "Special Dealer Arrangements") can be exchanged for
CDSC Class A Shares of a Bond or Equity Fund or into a
Money-Market Fund. The CDSC Class A Shares will not be subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge at the time of exchange, but
the contingent deferred sales charge will be payable upon a
redemption which occurs before the expiration of the applicable
holding period of any CDSC Class A Shares or any shares of a
Money-Market Fund received on exchange for CDSC Class A Shares.
(The contingent deferred sales charge does not apply to any
shares acquired as a result of reinvestment of dividends and/or
distributions.) For purposes of computing the time period for the
applicable contingent deferred sales charge, the length of time
of ownership of CDSC Class A Shares will be determined by the
time of original purchase and not by the time of the exchange.
Any period of 30 days or more during which any Money-Market
shares received on an exchange of CDSC Class A Shares are held is
not counted in computing the period of ownership of CDSC Class A
Shares. (See "Alternative Purchase Plans.")
Class C Shares Exchange Privilege
Under the Class C Shares exchange privilege, Class C Shares
(and any Class C Shares acquired as a result of reinvestment of
dividends and/or distributions) may be exchanged any number of
times between Money-Market Funds and for Class C Shares of Bond
or Equity Funds. Class C Shares will not be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge at the time of exchange, but the
contingent deferred sales charge will be payable upon redemption
which occurs before the expiration of the applicable holding
period of any Class C Shares or any shares of a Money-Market Fund
received on exchange for Class C Shares. (The contingent deferred
sales charge does not apply to any shares acquired as a result of
reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions.) For purposes of
computing the time period for the applicable contingent deferred
sales charge or for the conversion of Class C Shares into Class A
Shares, the length of time of ownership of Class C Shares will be
determined by time of original purchase and not by the time of
the exchange. Any period of 30 days or more during which any
Money-Market shares received on an exchange of Class C Shares are
held is not counted in computing the period of ownership of Class
C Shares. (See "Alternative Purchase Plans.")
Eligible Shares
The "Class A Eligible Shares" of any Bond or Equity Fund are
those Class A Shares which were (a) acquired by direct purchase
with payment of any applicable sales charge, or which were
received in exchange for shares of another Bond or Equity Fund on
which any applicable sales charge was paid; (b) acquired by
exchange for shares of a Money-Market Fund with payment of the
applicable sales charge; (c) acquired in one or more exchanges
between shares of a Money-Market Fund and a Bond or Equity Fund
so long as the shares of the Bond or Equity Fund were originally
purchased as set forth in (a) or (b); (d) acquired on conversion
of Class C Shares or (e) acquired as a result of reinvestment of
dividends and/or distributions on otherwise Class A Eligible
Shares.
The "CDSC Class A Eligible Shares" of any Bond or Equity
Fund are those CDSC Class A Shares which were (a) acquired by
direct purchase in the amount of $1 million or more without a
sales charge or in certain purchases when Special Dealer
Arrangements are in effect or which were received in exchange for
CDSC Class A Shares of another Bond or Equity Fund acquired under
the same conditions; (b) acquired by exchange for shares of a
Money-Market Fund under the same conditions; (c) acquired in one
or more exchanges between shares of a Money-Market Fund and a
Bond or Equity Fund so long as the shares of the Bond or Equity
Fund were originally purchased as set forth in (a) or (b); or (d)
acquired as a result of reinvestment of dividends and/or
distributions on otherwise CDSC Class A Eligible Shares.
The "Class C Eligible Shares" of any Bond or Equity Fund are
those Class C Shares which were (a) acquired by direct purchase
including by exchange from a Money-Market Fund, or which were
received in exchange for shares of Class C Shares of another Bond
or Equity Fund; or (b) acquired as a result of reinvestment of
dividends and/or distributions on otherwise Class C Eligible
Shares.
If you own Class A or Class C Eligible Shares of any Bond or
Equity Fund, you may exchange them for shares of any Money Market
Fund or the Class A or Class C Shares, respectively, of any other
Bond or Equity Fund without payment of any sales charge or CDSC.
The shares received will continue to be Class A or Class C
Eligible Shares.
If you own shares of a Money-Market Fund which you have
acquired by exchange for Class A Eligible Shares of any Bond or
Equity Fund, you may exchange these shares, and any shares
acquired as a result of reinvestment of dividends and/or
distributions on these shares, for Class A Shares of any Bond or
Equity Fund without payment of any sales charge.
If you own shares of a Money-Market Fund which you have
acquired by exchange for CDSC Class A Eligible Shares of any Bond
or Equity Fund, you may exchange these shares, and any shares
acquired as a result of reinvestment of dividends and/or
distributions on these shares, for CDSC Class A Shares of any
Bond or Equity Fund but you will be required to pay the
applicable contingent deferred sales charge, if any, if you
redeem such shares before you have held CDSC Class A Shares for
four years. You will also be required to pay the applicable
contingent deferred sales charge, if any, if you redeem such
shares of a Money-Market Fund before you have held CDSC Class A
Shares for four years. The running of the four-year period is
suspended during the period you hold shares of a Money-Market
Fund received in exchange for CDSC Class A Shares.
If you own shares of a Money-Market Fund which you have
acquired by exchange for Class C Eligible Shares of any Bond or
Equity Fund, you may exchange these shares, and any shares
acquired as a result of reinvestment of dividends and/or
distributions on these shares, for Class C Shares of any Bond or
Equity Fund, but you will be required to pay the applicable
contingent deferred sales charge, if any, if you redeem such
Class C Shares before you have held Class C Shares for 12 months.
You will also be required to pay the applicable contingent
deferred sales charge, if any, if you redeem such shares of a
Money-Market Fund before you have held Class C Shares for 12
months. The running of the 12-month CDSC period and the six-year
conversion period for Class C Shares is suspended during the
period you hold shares of a Money-Market Fund received in
exchange for Class C Shares. (See "Alternative Purchase Plans.")
Shares of a Money-Market Fund may be exchanged for shares of
another Money-Market Fund or for Class A Shares or Class C Shares
of a Bond or Equity Fund; however, if the shares of a
Money-Market Fund were not acquired by exchange of Eligible
Shares of a Bond or Equity Fund or of shares of a Money-Market
Fund acquired in such an exchange, they may be exchanged for
Class A Shares of a Bond or Equity Fund only upon payment of the
applicable sales charge.
This Fund, as well as the Money-Market Funds and other Bond
or Equity Funds, reserves the right to reject any exchange into
its shares, if shares of the fund into which exchange is desired
are not available for sale in your state of residence. The Fund
may also modify or terminate this exchange privilege at any time.
In the case of termination, the Prospectus will be appropriately
supplemented. No such modification or termination shall take
effect on less than 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
All exercises of the exchange privilege are subject to the
conditions that (i) the shares being acquired are available for
sale in your state of residence; (ii) the aggregate net asset
value of the shares surrendered for exchange is at least equal to
the minimum investment requirements of the investment company
whose shares are being acquired and (iii) the ownership of the
accounts from which and to which the exchange is made are
identical.
The Agent will accept telephone exchange instructions from
anyone. To make a telephone exchange telephone:
800-872-2651 toll free or 908-855-5731
Note: The Fund, the Agent, and the Distributor will not be
responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if the Agent follows reasonable procedures designed
to verify the identity of the caller. The Agent will request some
or all of the following information: account name(s) and number,
name of the caller, the social security number registered to the
account and personal identification. The Agent may also record
calls. You should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately upon receipt.
Exchanges will be effected at the relative exchange prices
of the shares being exchanged next determined after receipt by
the Agent of your exchange request. The exchange prices will be
the respective net asset values of the shares, unless a sales
charge is to be deducted in connection with an exchange of
shares, in which case the exchange price of shares of a Bond or
Equity Fund will be their public offering price. Prices for
exchanges are determined in the same manner as for purchases of
the Fund's shares. See "How to Invest in the Fund."
An exchange is treated for Federal tax purposes as a
redemption and purchase of shares and may result in the
realization of a capital gain or loss, depending on the cost or
other tax basis of the shares exchanged and the holding period
(see "Tax Effects of Redemptions" and the Additional Statement);
no representation is made as to the deductibility of any such
loss should such occur.
Dividends paid by the Money-Market Funds are taxable, except
to the extent that a portion or all of the dividends paid by
Pacific Capital Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust (a tax-free
money-market Fund) are exempt from regular Federal income tax,
and to the extent that a portion or all of the dividends paid by
Pacific Capital U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust (which invests
in U.S. Treasury obligations) are exempt from state income taxes.
Dividends paid by Aquila Rocky Mountain Equity Fund and Aquila
Cascadia Equity Fund are taxable. If your state of residence is
not the same as that of the issuers of obligations in which a
tax-free municipal bond fund or a tax-free money-market fund
invests, the dividends from that fund may be subject to income
tax of the state in which you reside. Accordingly, you should
consult your tax adviser before acquiring shares of such a bond
fund or a tax-free money-market fund under the exchange privilege
arrangement.
If you are considering an exchange into one of the funds
listed above, you should send for and carefully read its
Prospectus.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Performance
Advertisements, sales literature and communications to
shareholders may contain various measures of the Fund's
performance including current yield, taxable equivalent yield,
various expressions of total return, current distribution rate
and taxable equivalent distribution rate.
Average annual total return figures, as prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, represent the average annual
percentage change in value of a hypothetical $1,000 purchase, at
the maximum public offering price (offering price includes the
applicable sales charge) for 1- and 5-year periods and for a
period since the inception of the Fund, to the extent applicable,
through the end of such periods, assuming reinvestment (without
sales charge) of all distributions. The Fund may also furnish
total return quotations for other periods or based on investments
at various applicable sales charge levels or at net asset value.
For such purposes total return equals the total of all income and
capital gains paid to shareholders, assuming reinvestment of all
distributions, plus (or minus) the change in the value of the
original investment, expressed as a percentage of the purchase
price. See the Additional Statement.
Current yield reflects the income per share earned by each
of the Fund's portfolio investments; it is calculated by (i)
dividing the Fund's net investment income per share during a
recent 30-day period by (ii) the maximum public offering price on
the last day of that period and by (iii) annualizing the result.
Taxable equivalent yield shows the yield from a taxable
investment that would be required to produce an after-tax yield
equivalent to that of the Fund, which invests in tax-exempt
obligations. It is computed by dividing the tax-exempt portion of
the Fund's yield (calculated as indicated) by one minus a stated
income tax rate and by adding the product to the taxable portion
(if any) of the Fund's yield. See the Additional Statement.
Current yield and taxable equivalent yield, which are
calculated according to a formula prescribed by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (see the Additional Statement), are not
indicative of the dividends or distributions which were or will
be paid to the Fund's shareholders. Dividends or distributions
paid to shareholders are reflected in the current distribution
rate or taxable equivalent distribution rate which may be quoted
to shareholders. The current distribution rate is computed by (i)
dividing the total amount of dividends per share paid by the Fund
during a recent 30-day period by (ii) the current maximum
offering price and by (iii) annualizing the result. A taxable
equivalent distribution rate shows the taxable distribution rate
that would be required to produce an after-tax distribution rate
equivalent to the Fund's distribution rate (calculated as
indicated above). The current distribution rate differs from the
current yield computation because it could include distributions
to shareholders from sources, if any, other than dividends and
interest, such as short-term capital gains or return of capital.
If distribution rates are quoted in advertising, they will be
accompanied by calculations of current yield in accordance with
the formula of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In each case performance figures are based upon past
performance, reflect as appropriate all recurring charges against
the Fund's income net of fee waivers and reimbursement of
expenses, if any, and will assume the payment of the maximum
sales charge, if any, on the purchase of shares, but not on
reinvestment of income dividends. The investment results of the
Fund, like all other investment companies, will fluctuate over
time; thus, performance figures should not be considered to
represent what an investment may earn in the future or what the
Fund's yield, tax equivalent yield, distribution rate, taxable
equivalent distribution rate or total return may be in any future
period. The annual report of the Fund contains additional
performance information that will be made available upon request
and without charge.
Description of the Fund and Its Shares
The Fund is an open-end, non-diversified management
investment company organized in 1987 as a Massachusetts business
trust. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets" for further
information about the Fund's status as "non-diversified.")
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an
unlimited number of full and fractional shares and to divide or
combine the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares
without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests
in the Fund. Each share represents an equal proportionate
interest in the Fund with each other share of its class; shares
of the respective classes represent proportionate interests in
the Fund in accordance with their respective net asset values.
Upon liquidation of the Fund, shareholders are entitled to share
pro-rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution
to shareholders, in accordance with the respective net asset
values of the shares of each of the Fund's classes at that time.
All shares are presently divided into three classes; however, if
they deem it advisable and in the best interests of shareholders,
the Board of Trustees of the Fund may create additional classes
of shares, which may differ from each other as provided in rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or by
exemptive order. The Board of Trustees may, at its own
discretion, create additional series of shares, each of which may
have separate assets and liabilities (in which case any such
series will have a designation including the word "Series"). See
the Additional Statement for further information about possible
additional series. Shares are fully paid and non-assessable,
except as set forth under the caption "General Information" in
the Additional Statement; the holders of shares have no
pre-emptive or conversion rights.
In addition to Class A Shares and Class C Shares, which are
offered by this Prospectus, the Fund also has Institutional Class
Shares ("Class Y Shares"), which are offered only to institutions
acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial
or similar capacity and are not offered directly to retail
customers. Class Y Shares are offered by means of a separate
prospectus, which can be obtained by calling the Fund at
800-872-2652.
The primary distinction among the Fund's three classes of
shares lies in their different sales charge structures and
ongoing expenses, which are likely to be reflected in differing
yields and other measures of investment performance. All three
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of Colorado
Obligations and have the same rights, except that each class
bears the separate expenses, if any, of its participation in the
Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan and has exclusive
voting rights with respect to such participation.
Voting Rights
At any meeting of shareholders, shareholders are entitled to
one vote for each dollar of net asset value (determined as of the
record date for the meeting) per share held (and proportionate
fractional votes for fractional dollar amounts). Shareholders
will vote on the election of Trustees and on other matters
submitted to the vote of shareholders. Shares vote by classes on
any matter specifically affecting one or more classes, such as an
amendment of an applicable part of the Distribution Plan. No
amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Fund except that the Fund's Board of Trustees may
change the name of the Fund. The Fund may be terminated (i) upon
the sale of its assets to another issuer, or (ii) upon
liquidation and distribution of the assets of the Fund, in either
case if such action is approved by the vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. If not so
terminated, the Fund will continue indefinitely.
<PAGE>
APPLICATION FOR TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
FOR CLASS A OR CLASS C SHARES ONLY
PLEASE COMPLETE STEPS 1 THROUGH 4 AND MAIL TO:
ADM, ATTN: AQUILA SM GROUP OF FUNDS
581 MAIN STREET, WOODBRIDGE, NJ 07095-1198
Tel.# 1-800-872-2651
STEP 1
A. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION
___Individual Use line 1
___Joint Account* Use lines 1&2
___For a Minor Use line 3
___For Trust, Corporation, Partnership or other Entity Use line 4
* Joint Accounts will be Joint Tenants with rights of survivorship
unless otherwise specified.
** Uniformed Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act.
Please type or print name exactly as account is to be registered
1.________________________________________________________________
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Social Security Number
2.________________________________________________________________
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Social Security Number
3.________________________________________________________________
Custodian's First Name Middle Initial Last Name
Custodian for ____________________________________________________
Minor's First Name Middle Initial Last Name
Under the ___________UGTMA** _____________________________________
Name of State Minor's Social Security Number
4. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(Name of Corporation or Partnership. If a Trust, include the name(s) of
Trustees in which account will be registered and the name and date of the
Trust Instrument. Account for a Pension or Profit Sharing Plan or Trust
may be registered in the name of the Plan or Trust itself.)
___________________________________________________________________
Tax I.D. Number Authorized Individual Title
B. MAILING ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
____________________________________________________
Street or PO Box City
_______________________________(______)______________
State Zip Daytime Phone Number
Occupation:________________________Employer:________________________
Employer's Address:__________________________________________________
Street Address: City State Zip
Citizen or resident of: ___ U.S. ___ Other Check here ___ if you are a
non-U.S. Citizen or resident and not subject to back-up withholding (See
certification in Step 4, Section B, below.)
C. INVESTMENT DEALER OR BROKER:
(Important - to be completed by Dealer or Broker)
_______________________ _____________________________
Dealer Name Branch Number
_______________________ _____________________________
Street Address Rep. Number/Name
_______________________ (_______)_____________________
City State Zip Area Code Telephone
STEP 2
PURCHASES OF SHARES
A. INITIAL INVESTMENT
Indicate method of payment (For either method, make check
payment to: TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO)
Indicate class of shares:
__ Class A Shares (Front-Payment Class)
__ Class C Shares (Level-Payment Class)
IF NO SHARE CLASS IS MARKED, INVESTMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE MADE
IN CLASS A SHARES.
__ Initial Investment $_________ (Minimum $1,000)
__ Automatic Investment $________ (Minimum $50)
For Automatic Investment of at least $50 per month, you must complete
Step 3, Section A, Step 4, Sections A & B and ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED
DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK.
B. DISTRIBUTIONS
All income dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares at Net Asset Value unless otherwise
indicated below.
Dividends are to be:___ Reinvested ___Paid in cash*
Capital Gains Distributions are to be: ___ Reinvested ___ Paid in cash*
* For cash dividends, please choose one of the following options:
___ Deposit directly into my/our Financial Institution account.
ATTACHED IS A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK showing the
Financial Institution account where I/we would like you to deposit
the dividend. (A Financial Institution is a commercial bank, savings
bank or credit union.)
___ Mail check to my/our address listed in Step 1.
STEP 3
SPECIAL FEATURES
A. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
This option provides you with a convenient way to have amounts
automatically drawn on your Financial Institution account and invested
in your Tax-Free Fund of Colorado Account. To establish this program,
please complete Step 4, Sections A & B of this Application.
I/We wish to make regular monthly investments of $ _________________
(minimum $50) on the ___ 1st day or ___ 16th day of the month (or
on the first business day after that date).
(YOU MUST ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK)
B. TELEPHONE INVESTMENT
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
This option provides you with a convenient way to add to your account
(minimum $50 and maximum $50,000) at any time you wish by simply calling
the Fund toll-free at 1-800-872-2651. To establish this program, please
complete Step 4, Sections A & B of this Application.
(YOU MUST ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK)
C. LETTER OF INTENT
APPLICABLE TO CLASS A SHARES ONLY.
See Terms of Letter of Intent and Escrow at the end of this application
___ Yes ___ No
I/We intend to invest in Class A Shares of the Fund during the 13-month
period from the date of my/our first purchase pursuant to this Letter
(which purchase cannot be more than 90 days prior to the date of this
Letter), an aggregate amount (excluding any reinvestment of dividends
or distributions) of at least $25,000 which, together with my/our
present holdings of Fund shares (at public offering price on date of
this Letter), will equal or exceed the minimum amount checked below:
___ $25,000 ___ $50,000 ___ $100,000 ___ $250,000
___ $500,000
D. AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
(Minimum investment $5,000)
APPLICABLE TO CLASS A SHARES ONLY.
Application must be received in good order at least 2 weeks prior to 1st
actual liquidation date.
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
Please establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan for this account,
subject to the terms of the Automatic Withdrawal Plan Provisions set
forth below. To realize the amount stated below, Administrative Data
Management Corp. (the Agent) is authorized to redeem sufficient shares
from this account at the then current Net Asset Value, in accordance
with the terms below:
Dollar Amount of each withdrawal $ ______________beginning________________ .
Minimum: $50 Month/Year
Payments to be made: ___ Monthly or ___ Quarterly
Checks should be made payable as indicated below. If check is
payable to a Financial Institution for your account, indicate Financial
Institution name, address and your account number.
_______________________________ ______________________________________
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Financial Institution Name
_______________________________ ______________________________________
Street Financial Institution Street Address
_______________________________ ______________________________________
City State Zip City State Zip
____________________________________
Financial Institution Account Number
E. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
This option allows you to effect exchanges among accounts in your name
within the Aquila SM Group of Funds by telephone.
The Agent is authorized to accept and act upon my/our or any other
persons telephone instructions to execute the exchange of shares of one
Aquila-sponsored fund for shares of another Aquila-sponsored fund with
identical shareholder registration in the manner described in the
Prospectus. Except for gross negligence in acting upon such telephone
instructions to execute an exchange, and subject to the conditions set
forth herein, I/we understand and agree to hold harmless the Agent, each
of the Aquila Funds, and their respective officers, directors, trustees,
employees, agents and affiliates against any liability, damage, expense,
claim or loss, including reasonable costs and attorneys fees, resulting
from acceptance of, or acting or failure to act upon, this Authorization.
F. EXPEDITED REDEMPTION
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
The proceeds will be deposited to your Financial Institution
account listed.
Cash proceeds in any amount from the redemption of shares will be
mailed or wired, whenever possible, upon request, if in an amount of
$1,000 or more to my/our account at a Financial Institution. The
Financial Institution account must be in the same name(s) as this
Fund account is registered.
(YOU MUST ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK).
_______________________________ ____________________________________
Account Registration Financial Institution Account Number
_______________________________ ____________________________________
Financial Institution Name Financial Institution Transit/Routing
Number
_______________________________ ____________________________________
Street City State Zip
STEP 4 Section A
DEPOSITORS AUTHORIZATION TO HONOR DEBITS
IF YOU SELECTED AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OR TELEPHONE INVESTMENT
YOU MUST ALSO COMPLETE STEP 4, SECTIONS A & B.
I/We authorize the Financial Institution listed below to charge to
my/our account any drafts or debits drawn on my/our account initiated
by the Agent, Administrative Data Management Corp., and to pay such
sums in accordance therewith, provided my/our account has sufficient
funds to cover such drafts or debits. I/We further agree that your
treatment of such orders will be the same as if I/we personally signed
or initiated the drafts or debits.
I/We understand that this authority will remain in effect until you
receive my/our written instructions to cancel this service. I/We also
agree that if any such drafts or debits are dishonored, for any reason,
you shall have no liabilities.
Financial Institution Account Number _______________________________________
Name and Address where my/our account is maintained
Name of Financial Institution______________________________________________
Street Address_____________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State _________ Zip ________
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Depositor(s) as they appear where account
is registered
______________________________________________
(Please Print)
X_____________________________________________ __________________
(Signature) (Date)
______________________________________________
(Please Print)
X_____________________________________________ __________________
(Signature) (Date)
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
To: Financial Institution Named Above
So that you may comply with your depositor's request, Aquila
Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") agrees:
1 Electronic Funds Transfer debit and credit items transmitted
pursuant to the above authorization shall be subject to the
provisions of the Operating Rules of the National Automated
Clearing House Association.
2 To indemnify and hold you harmless from any loss you may suffer
in connection with the execution and issuance of any electronic
debit in the normal course of business initiated by the Agent
(except any loss due to your payment of any amount drawn against
insufficient or uncollected funds), provided that you promptly
notify us in writing of any claim against you with respect to
the same, and further provided that you will not settle or
pay or agree to settle or pay any such claim without the written
permission of the Distributor.
3 To indemnify you for any loss including your reasonable costs and
expenses in the event that you dishonor, with or without cause,
any such electronic debit.
STEP 4
Section B
SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION/SIGNATURE(S) REQUIRED
- - The undersigned warrants that he/she has full authority and is of
legal age to purchase shares of the Fund and has received and
read a current Prospectus of the Fund and agrees to its terms.
- - I/We authorize the Fund and its agents to act upon these
instructions for the features that have been checked.
- - I/We acknowledge that in connection with an Automatic Investment or
Telephone Investment, if my/our account at the Financial Institution
has insufficient funds, the Fund and its agents may cancel the
purchase transaction and are authorized to liquidate other shares or
fractions thereof held in my/our Fund account to make up any
deficiency resulting from any decline in the net asset value of
shares so purchased and any dividends paid on those shares. I/We
authorize the Fund and its agents to correct any transfer error by
a debit or credit to my/our Financial Institution account and/or
Fund account and to charge the account for any related charges.
I/We acknowledge that shares purchased either through Automatic
Investment or Telephone Investment are subject to applicable sales
charges.
- - The Fund, the Agent and the Distributor and their Trustees, directors,
employees and agents will not be liable for acting upon instructions
believed to be genuine, and will not be responsible for any losses
resulting from unauthorized telephone transactions if the Agent follows
reasonable procedures designed to verify the identity of the caller.
The Agent will request some or all of the following information:
account name and number; name(s) and social security number registered
to the account and personal identification; the Agent may also record
calls. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of confirmation
statements immediately upon receipt. Under penalties of perjury, the
undersigned whose Social Security (Tax I.D.) Number is shown above
certifies (i) that Number is my correct taxpayer identification number
and (ii) currently I am not under IRS notification that I am subject
to backup withholding (line out (ii) if under notification). If no such
Number is shown, the undersigned further certifies, under penalties of
perjury, that either (a) no such Number has been issued, and a Number
has been or will soon be applied for; if a Number is not provided to
you within sixty days, the undersigned understands that all payments
(including liquidations) are subject to 31% withholding under federal
tax law, until a Number is provided and the undersigned may be subject
to a $50 I.R.S. penalty; or (b) that the undersigned is not a citizen
or resident of the U.S.; and either does not expect to be in the
U.S. for 183 days during each calendar year and does not conduct a
business in the U.S. which would receive any gain from the Fund, or is
exempt under an income tax treaty.
NOTE: ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF THE ACCOUNT MUST SIGN BELOW.
FOR A TRUST, ALL TRUSTEES MUST SIGN.*
__________________________ ____________________________ _________
Individual (or Custodian) Joint Registrant, if any Date
__________________________ ____________________________ _________
Corporate Officer, Partner, Title Date
Trustee, etc.
* For Trust, Corporations or Associations, this form must be accompanied by
proof of authority to sign, such as a certified copy of the corporate
resolution or a certificate of incumbency under the trust instrument.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
- - Certain features (Automatic Investment, Telephone Investment,
Expedited Redemption and Direct Deposit of Dividends) are effective
15 days after this form is received in good order by the Fund's Agent.
- - You may cancel any feature at any time, effective 3 days after the
Agent receives written notice from you.
- - Either the Fund or the Agent may cancel any feature, without prior
notice, if in its judgment your use of any feature involves unusual
effort or difficulty in the administration of your account.
- - The Fund reserves the right to alter, amend or terminate any or all
features or to charge a service fee upon 30 days written notice to
shareholders except if additional notice is specifically required by
the terms of the Prospectus.
BANKING INFORMATION
- - If your Financial Institution account changes, you must complete a
Ready Access features form which may be obtained from Aquila
Distributors at 1-800-872-2652 and send it to the Agent together
with a "voided" check or pre-printed deposit slip from the new
account. The new Financial Institution change is effective in 15
days after this form is received in good order by the Fund's Agent.
TERMS OF LETTER OF INTENT AND ESCROW
By checking Box 2c and signing the Application, the investor
is entitled to make each purchase at the public offering price
applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount checked
above, and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions applicable
to Letters of Intent appearing below.
The investor is making no commitment to purchase shares, but if
the investor's purchases within thirteen months from the date of the
investor's first purchase do not aggregate $25,000, or, if such
purchases added to the investor's present holdings do not aggregate
the minimum amount specified above, the investor will pay the increased
amount of sales charge prescribed in the terms of escrow below.
The commission to the dealer or broker, if any, named herein
shall be at the rate applicable to the minimum amount of the investor's
specified intended purchases checked above. If the investor's actual
purchases do not reach this minimum amount, the commissions previously
paid to the dealer will be adjusted to the rate applicable to the
investor's total purchases. If the investor's purchases exceed the
dollar amount of the investor's intended purchases and pass the next
commission break-point, the investor shall receive the lower sales
charge, provided that the dealer returns to the Distributor the excess
of commissions previously allowed or paid to him over that which would
be applicable to the amount of the investor's total purchases.
The investor's dealer or broker shall refer to this Letter of
Intent in placing any future purchase orders for the investor
while this Letter is in effect.
The escrow shall operate as follows:
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary),
3% of the dollar amount specified in the Letter of Intent (computed
to the nearest full share) shall be held in escrow in shares of the
Fund by the Agent. All dividends and any capital distributions on
the escrowed shares will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the total minimum investment specified under the Letter is
completed within a thirteen-month period, the escrowed shares will
be promptly released to the investor. However, shares disposed of
prior to completion of the purchase requirement under the Letter
will be deducted from the amount required to complete the
investment commitment.
3. If the total purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the amount
specified in the Letter as the intended aggregate purchases, the
investor must remit to the Distributor an amount equal to the
difference between the dollar amount of sales charges actually paid
and the amount of sales charges which would have been paid if the
total amount purchased had been made at a single time. If such
difference in sales charges is not paid within twenty days after
receipt of a request from the Distributor or the dealer, the
Distributor will, within sixty days after the expiration of the
Letter, redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to realize
such difference in sales charges. Full shares and any cash proceeds
for a fractional share remaining after such redemption will be
released to the investor. The escrow of shares will not be released
until any additional sales charge due has been paid as stated in
this section.
4. By checking Box 2c and signing the Application, the investor
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Agent or the Distributor
as his attorney to surrender for redemption any or all escrowed
shares on the books of the Fund.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN PROVISIONS
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal Plan, the applicant agrees
to the terms and conditions applicable to such plans, as stated below.
1. The Agent will administer the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (the "Plan")
as agent for the person (the "Planholder") who executed the Plan
authorization.
2. Certificates will not be issued for shares of the Fund purchased for
and held under the Plan, but the Agent will credit all such shares
to the Planholder on the records of the Fund. Any share certificates
now held by the Planholder may be surrendered unendorsed to the Agent
with the application so that the shares represented by the certificate
may be held under the Plan.
3. Dividends and distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund
at Net Asset Value without a sales charge.
4. Redemptions of shares in connection with disbursement payments will
be made at the Net Asset Value per share in effect at the close of
business on the last business day of the month or quarter.
5. The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address
to which checks are to be mailed may be changed, at any time, by the
Planholder on written notification to the Agent. The Planholder should
allow at least two weeks time in mailing such notification before the
requested change can be put in effect.
6. The Planholder may, at any time, instruct the Agent by written notice
(in proper form in accordance with the requirements of the then
current Prospectus of the Fund) to redeem all, or any part of, the
shares held under the Plan. In such case the Agent will redeem the
number of shares requested at the Net Asset Value per share in effect
in accordance with the Fund's usual redemption procedures and will
mail a check for the proceeds of such redemption to the Planholder.
7. The Plan may, at any time, be terminated by the Planholder on written
notice to the Agent, or by the Agent upon receiving directions to that
effect from the Fund. The Agent will also terminate the Plan upon
receipt of evidence satisfactory to it of the death or legal
incapacity of the Planholder. Upon termination of the Plan by the
Agent or the Fund, shares remaining unredeemed will be held in an
uncertificated account in the name of the Planholder, and the account
will continue as a dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated account
unless and until proper instructions are received from the Planholder,
his executor or guardian, or as otherwise appropriate.
8. The Agent shall incur no liability to the Planholder for any action
taken or omitted by the Agent in good faith.
9. In the event that the Agent shall cease to act as transfer agent for
the Fund, the Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor
transfer agent to act as his agent in administering the Plan.
10.Purchases of additional shares concurrently with withdrawals are
undesirable because of sales charges when purchases are made.
Accordingly, a Planholder may not maintain this Plan while
simultaneously making regular purchases. While an occasional lump
sum investment may be made, such investment should normally be an
amount equivalent to three times the annual withdrawal or $5,000,
whichever is less.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
KPM Investment Management, Inc.
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 1300
Denver, Colorado 80203
ADMINISTRATOR
Aquila Management Corporation
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lacy B. Herrmann, Chairman
Tucker Hart Adams
Arthur K. Carlson
William M. Cole
Anne J. Mills
J. William Weeks
John G. Welles
OFFICERS
Lacy B. Herrmann, President
Jean M. Smith, Vice President
Marie Aro, Vice President
Rose F. Marotta, Chief Financial Officer
Richard F. West, Treasurer
Edward M.W. Hines, Secretary
DISTRIBUTOR
Aquila Distributors, Inc.
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
Administrative Data Management Corp.
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095-1198
CUSTODIAN
Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
100 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43271
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
COUNSEL
Hollyer Brady Smith Troxell
Barrett Rockett Hines & Mone LLP
551 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10176
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Highlights.......................................
Table of Expenses................................
Financial Highlights.............................
Introduction.....................................
Investment Of The Fund's Assets..................
Investment Restrictions.........................
Net Asset Value Per Share.......................
Alternative Purchase Plans......................
How To Invest In The Fund.......................
How To Redeem Your Investment...................
Automatic Withdrawal Plan.......................
Management Arrangements.........................
Dividend And Tax Information....................
Exchange Privilege..............................
General Information.............................
Application and Letter of Intent
AQUILA
[LOGO]
Tax-Free Fund
of
Colorado
A tax-free
income investment
[LOGO]
PROSPECTUS
One Of The
Aquilasm Group Of Funds
<PAGE>
Tax-Free Fund of Colorado
380 Madison Avenue Suite 2300
New York, NY 10017
800-USA-COL2 (800-872-2652)
212-697-6666
Prospectus
Class Y Shares April 30, 1997
Institutional Class Shares
The Fund is a mutual fund whose objective is to seek to provide
as high a level of current income exempt from Colorado and
regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation
of capital by investing in municipal obligations which pay
interest exempt from Colorado State and Federal income taxes.
These municipal obligations must, at the time of purchase, either
be rated within the four highest credit ratings (considered as
investment grade) assigned by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation, or, if unrated, be determined to
be of comparable quality by the Fund's Adviser, KPM Investment
Management, Inc.
There are three classes of shares of the Fund: Institutional
Class Shares ("Class Y Shares") are offered only to institutions
acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial
or similar capacity, and are not offered directly to retail
customers. Class Y Shares are offered at net asset value with no
sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales
charge and no distribution fee. (See "How to Purchase Class Y
Shares.") The other classes, Front-Payment Class Shares ("Class A
Shares") and Level-Payment Class Shares ("Class C Shares"), are
not offered by this Prospectus. See "General Information -
Description of the Fund and Its Shares."
This Prospectus concisely states information about the Fund
that you should know before investing. A Statement of Additional
Information about the Fund (the "Additional Statement") dated
April 30, 1997, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is available without charge upon written request
to Administrative Data Management Corp., the Fund's Shareholder
Servicing Agent, at the address given below, or by calling the
telephone number(s) given below. The Additional Statement
contains information about the Fund and its management not
included in the Prospectus. The Additional Statement is
incorporated by reference in its entirety in the Prospectus. Only
when you have read both the Prospectus and the Additional
Statement are all material facts about the Fund available to you.
Shares of the Fund are not deposits in, obligations of or
guaranteed or endorsed by any bank. Shares of the Fund are not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other governmental
agency or government sponsored agency of the Federal government
or any state.
An investment in the Fund involves investment risks,
including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
For Purchase, Redemption or Account inquiries contact
The Fund's Shareholder Servicing Agent:
Administrative Data Management Corp.
581 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198
Call 800-872-2651 toll free or 908-855-5731
For General Inquiries & Yield Information,
Call 800-872-2652 toll free or 212-697-6666
This Prospectus Should Be Read and Retained For Future Reference
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
HIGHLIGHTS
Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, founded by Aquila Management
Corporation in 1987 and one of the Aquilasm Group of Funds, is an
open-end mutual fund which invests in tax-free municipal bonds,
the kind of obligations issued by the State of Colorado, its
counties and various other local authorities to finance such
long-term public purpose projects as schools, universities,
housing, transportation, utilities, hospitals and water and sewer
facilities throughout Colorado. (See "Introduction.")
Tax-Free Income - The municipal obligations in which the
Fund invests pay interest which is exempt from both regular
Federal and State of Colorado income taxes. Dividends paid by the
Fund from this income are likewise free of both such taxes. It
is, however, possible that in certain circumstances a small
portion of the dividends paid by the Fund will be subject to
income taxes. The Federal alternative minimum tax may apply to
some investors, but its impact will be limited since not more
than 20% of the Fund's net assets can be invested in obligations
paying interest which is subject to this tax. The receipt of
exempt-interest dividends from the Fund may result in some
portion of social security payments or railroad retirement
benefits being included in taxable income. Capital gains
distributions, if any, are taxable. (See "Dividend and Tax
Information.")
Investment Grade - The Fund will acquire only those
municipal obligations which, at the time of purchase, are within
the four highest credit ratings assigned by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation or are determined
by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. In general there are
nine separate credit ratings, ranging from the highest to the
lowest credit ratings for municipal obligations. Obligations
within the top four ratings are considered "investment grade,"
but those in the fourth rating may have speculative
characteristics as well. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets.")
Initial Investment - You may open your account with any
purchase of $1,000 or more or by opening an Automatic Investment
Program which makes purchases of $50 or more each month. See the
Application, which is in the back of the Prospectus. (See "How to
Invest in the Fund.")
Additional Investments - You may make additional investments
at any time and in any amount, directly or, if in an amount of
$50 or more, through the convenience of having your investment
electronically transferred from your financial institution
account into the Fund by Automatic Investment or Telephone
Investment. (See "How to Invest in the Fund.")
Alternative Purchase Plans - The Fund provides alternative
ways to invest. (See "Description of the Fund and its Shares.")
For this purpose the Fund offers classes of shares, which differ
in their expense levels and sales charges:
Institutional Class Shares ("Class Y Shares") are
offered by this Prospectus. Class Y Shares are offered
only to institutions acting for investors in a
fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar
capacity, and are not offered directly to retail
customers. Class Y Shares are offered at net asset
value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no
contingent deferred sales charge and no distribution
fee. (See "How to Purchase Class Y Shares.")
The other classes, Front-Payment Class Shares ("Class A
Shares") and Level-Payment Class Shares ("Class C Shares"), are
not offered by this Prospectus. See "General Information -
Description of the Fund and its Shares."
At the date of the Prospectus, Class Y Shares are registered
for sale only in Colorado. (See "How to Invest in the Fund.") If
Class Y Shares of the Fund are sold outside of Colorado, except
to certain institutional investors, the Fund can redeem them. If
your state of residence is not Colorado, dividends from the Fund
may be subject to income taxes of the state in which you reside.
Accordingly, you should consult your tax adviser before acquiring
shares of the Fund.
Monthly Income - Dividends are declared daily and paid
monthly. At your choice, dividends are paid by check mailed to
you, directly deposited into your financial institution account
or automatically reinvested without sales charge in additional
shares of the Fund at the then-current net asset value. Specific
classes of shares will have different dividend amounts due to
their particular expense levels. (See "Dividend and Tax
Information.")
Many Different Issues - You have the advantages of a
portfolio which consists of over 154 issues with different
maturities. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets.")
Local Portfolio Management - KPM Investment Management, Inc.
(the "Adviser") serves as the Fund's investment adviser. It is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of KFS Corporation, a member of the
Mutual of Omaha Companies. The Fund's portfolio is managed in the
Adviser's Denver office. Founded in 1981, the Adviser provides
discretionary equity fixed income and balanced account management
to mutual funds, retirement plans, foundations, endowments and
high net-worth individuals and currently manages over $1 billion
of clients' assets.
The Fund is obligated to pay investment advisory fees at the
rate of 0.20 of 1% of average annual net assets to the Adviser
and administration fees at the rate of 0.30 of 1% of such net
assets to its Administrator (for total fees at the rate of 0.50
of 1% of average annual net assets). These fees are subject to
reduction when the Fund makes certain payments under the
Distribution Plan. (See "Table of Expenses," "Distribution Plan"
and "Management Arrangements.") Some or all of these fees may be
waived by the Adviser and Administrator.
Redemptions - Liquidity - You may redeem any amount of your
Class Y Shares account on any business day at the next determined
net asset value by telephone, FAX or mail request, with proceeds
being sent to a predesignated financial institution, if you have
elected Expedited Redemption. Proceeds will be wired or
transferred through the facilities of the Automated Clearing
House, wherever possible, upon request, if in an amount of $1,000
or more, or will be mailed. For these and other redemption
procedures see "How to Redeem Your Investment." There are no
redemption fees for redemption of Class Y Shares.
Certain Stabilizing Measures - The Fund will employ such
traditional measures as varying maturities, upgrading credit
standards for portfolio purchases, broadening diversification and
increasing its position in cash, in an attempt to protect against
declines in the value of its investments and other market risks.
(See "Certain Stabilizing Measures.")
Exchanges - You may exchange Class Y Shares of the Fund into
Class Y Shares of other Aquila-sponsored tax-free municipal bond
mutual funds or two Aquila-sponsored equity funds. You may also
exchange them into shares of the Aquila-sponsored money market
funds. The exchange prices will be the respective net asset
values of the shares. (See "Exchange Privilege.")
Risks and Special Considerations - The share price,
determined on each business day, varies with the market prices of
the Fund's portfolio securities, which fluctuate with market
conditions, including prevailing interest rates. Accordingly, the
proceeds of redemptions may be more or less than your original
cost. (See "Factors Which May Affect the Value of the Fund's
Investments and Their Yields.") The Fund's assets, being
primarily or entirely Colorado issues, are subject to economic
and other conditions affecting Colorado. (See "Risk Factors and
Special Considerations Regarding Investment in Colorado
Obligations.") Moreover, the Fund is classified as a
"non-diversified" investment company, because it may choose to
invest in the obligations of a relatively limited number of
issuers. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets.") The Fund may
also, to a limited degree, buy and sell futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, although since inception the Fund
has not done so and has no present intention to do so. There may
be risks associated with these practices. (See "Certain
Stabilizing Measures.")
Statements and Reports - You will receive statements of your
account monthly as well as each time you add to your account or
take money out. Additionally, you will receive a Semi-Annual
Report and an audited Annual Report.
<PAGE>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
TABLE OF EXPENSES
Class Y
Shareholder Transaction Expenses Shares
<S> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases None
(as a percentage of the offering price)
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None
Deferred Sales Charge None
Redemption Fees None
Exchange Fee None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses(1)
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Investment Advisory Fee 0.20%
All Other Expenses(2) 0.49%
Administration Fee 0.30%
Other Expenses(2) 0.19%
Total Fund Operating Expenses(2) 0.69%
Example(3)
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
a 5% annual return and redemption at the end of each time period:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
$7 22 38 86
<FN>
(1) Estimated based upon amounts incurred by the Fund during its most
recent fiscal year, restated to reflect current arrangements. Class A Shares
were outstanding during the entire period. Class Y Shares were established on
April 30, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
(2) Other expenses do not reflect a 0.01% expense offset in custodian fees
received for uninvested cash balances. Reflecting these amounts, other
expenses, all other expenses, and total Fund operating expenses would have
been 0.18%, 0.48% and 0.68%.
</FN>
<FN>
(3) The expense example is based upon the above annual Fund operating
expenses. It is also based upon amounts at the beginning of each year
which includes the prior year's assumed results. A year's results
consist of an assumed 5% annual return less total annual operating
expenses; the expense ratio was applied to an assumed average balance
(the year's starting investment plus one-half the year's results).
Each figure represents the cumulative expenses so determined for the
period specified.
</FN>
</TABLE>
THE EXAMPLE ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
THOSE SHOWN. THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SPECIFIES THAT
ALL MUTUAL FUNDS USE THE 5% ANNUAL RATE OF RETURN FOR PURPOSES OF
PREPARING THE ABOVE EXAMPLE.
The purpose of the above table is to assist the investor in
understanding the various costs that an investor in the Fund will
bear directly or indirectly. The assumed 5% annual return should
not be interpreted as a prediction of an actual return, which may
be higher or lower.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
The following table of Financial Highlights as it relates to
the five years ended December 31, 1996 has been audited by KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon is included
in the Fund's financial statements contained in its Annual Report,
which are incorporated by reference into the Additional Statement.
The information provided in the table should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and related notes.(+) The Fund's Annual
Report contains additional information about the Fund's performance
and is available upon request without charge.
Class A(3)
Year ended December 31, Class Y(4)
1996 1995 1994 1993 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning
of Year $10.56 $9.82 $10.77 $10.38 $10.31
Income from Investment
Operations:
Net investment income 0.52 0.54 0.55 0.57 0.38
Net gain (loss) on
securities (both
realized and unrealized) (0.13) 0.74 (0.95) 0.55 0.12
Total from Investment
Operations 0.39 1.28 (0.40) 1.12 0.50
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (0.54) (0.54) (0.55) (0.57) (0.40)
Distributions from
capital gains - - - (0.16) -
Total Distributions (0.54) (0.54) (0.55) (0.73) (0.40)
Net Asset Value, End of
Year $10.41 $10.56 $9.82 $10.77 $10.41
Total Return (not
reflecting sales load) 3.78 13.28 (3.80) 11.10 4.87(1)
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of Year
(in thousands) 214,392 219,306 199,075 222,277 0.1
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets 0.69 0.63 0.57 0.53 0.64(2)
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets 5.03 5.21 5.36 5.32 5.08(2)
Portfolio Turnover Rate 10.96 14.20 15.53 20.89 10.96
<CAPTION>
Net investment income per share and the ratios of income and expenses to
average net assets without the Adviser's and Administrator's voluntary
waiver of fees, the Administrator's voluntary expense reimbursement and
the expense offset in custodian fees for uninvested cash balances
would have been:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Investment Income 0.51 0.52 0.53 0.55 0.37
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets 0.75 0.77 0.76 0.73 0.70(2)
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets 4.97 5.07 5.17 5.12 5.02(2)
<CAPTION> Class A(3)
1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987(*)
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$10.18 $9.77 $9.80 $9.66 $9.51 $9.60
0.61 0.62 0.64 0.67 0.63 0.27
0.28 0.41 (0.03) 0.14 0.14 (0.07)
0.89 1.03 0.61 0.81 0.77 0.20
(0.61) (0.62) (0.64) (0.67) (0.62) (0.29)
(0.08) - - - - -
(0.69) (0.62) (0.64) (0.67) (0.62) (0.29)
$10.38 $10.18 $9.77 $9.80 $9.66 $9.51
9.00 10.96 6.59 8.59 8.84 2.12(1)
174,031 129,760 88,086 55,901 22,884 7,678
0.45 0.43 0.27 0.14 0.06 0.66(2)
5.90 6.25 6.56 6.62 6.72 5.72(2)
25.88 25.47 23.73 34.29 8.13 5.02
0.59 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.55 0.20
0.70 0.80 0.75 1.00 1.41 2.98(2)
5.65 5.88 6.08 5.73 5.37 3.40(2)
<FN>
(1) Not annualized.
</FN>
<FN>
(2) Annualized.
</FN>
<FN>
(3) Designated as Class A Shares on April 30, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
(4) New Class of Shares established on April 30, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
(5) For the period from May 21, 1987 (commencement of operations)
to December 31, 1987.
</FN>
<FN>
+ On April 19, 1991, Norwest Bank Denver, National Association,
originally the Fund's Investment Adviser, became Sub-Adviser
and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association became
Investment Adviser upon completion of a merger with Norwest
Corporation. On October 1, 1992, Kirkpatrick, Pettis, Smith,
Polian Inc. became the Fund's Investment Adviser. On July 1,
1994, its wholly owned subsidiary KPM Investment Management,
Inc. became the Fund's Adviser. On June 13, 1989, Aquila
Management Corporation, originally the Fund's Sub-Adviser and
Administrator became Administrator only. (See "Management
Arrangements").
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
The Fund's shares are designed to be a suitable investment
for investors who seek income exempt from Colorado State and
regular Federal income taxes.
You may invest in shares of the Fund as an alternative to
direct investments in Colorado Obligations, as defined below,
which may include obligations of certain non-Colorado issuers.
The Fund offers you the opportunity to keep assets fully invested
in a vehicle that provides a professionally managed portfolio of
Colorado Obligations which may, but not necessarily will, be more
diversified, higher yielding or more stable and more liquid than
you might be able to obtain on an individual basis by direct
purchase of Colorado Obligations. Through the convenience of a
single security consisting of shares of the Fund, you are also
relieved of the inconvenience associated with direct investments
of fixed denominations, including the selecting, purchasing,
handling, monitoring call provisions and safekeeping of Colorado
Obligations.
Colorado Obligations are a type of municipal obligation.
Municipal obligations are issued by or on behalf of states,
territories and possessions of the United States and their
political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities to obtain
funds for various public purposes. The two principal
classifications of municipal obligations are "notes" and "bonds."
Municipal notes are generally used to provide for short-term
capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less
while municipal bonds have extended maturities. Municipal notes
include: project notes, which sometimes carry a U.S. Government
guarantee; tax anticipation notes; revenue anticipation notes;
bond anticipation notes; construction loan notes and floating and
variable rate demand notes. Municipal obligations include
municipal lease/purchase agreements which are similar to
installment purchase contracts for property or equipment. The
purposes for which municipal obligations such as bonds are issued
include the construction of a wide range of public facilities
such as airports, highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, housing,
mass transportation, streets and water and sewer works. Other
public purposes for which municipal obligations may be issued
include the refunding of outstanding obligations, the obtaining
of funds for general operating expenses and the obtaining of
funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities.
INVESTMENT OF THE FUND'S ASSETS
In seeking its objective of providing as high a level of
current income which is exempt from both Colorado State and
regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with the
preservation of capital, the Fund will invest in Colorado
Obligations (as defined below). There is no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its objective, which is a fundamental policy of
the Fund. (See "Investment Restrictions.")
As used in the Prospectus and the Additional Statement, the
term "Colorado Obligations" means obligations, including those of
certain non-Colorado issuers, of any maturity which pay interest
which, in the opinion of bond counsel or other appropriate
counsel, is exempt from regular Federal income taxes and not
subject to Colorado income taxes. Although exempt from regular
Federal income tax, interest paid on certain types of Colorado
Obligations, and dividends which the Fund might pay from this
interest, are preference items as to the Federal alternative
minimum tax; for further information, see "Dividend and Tax
Information." As a fundamental policy, at least 80% of the Fund's
net assets will be invested in Colorado Obligations the income
paid upon which will not be subject to the alternative minimum
tax; accordingly, the Fund can invest up to 20% of its net assets
in obligations which are subject to the Federal alternative
minimum tax. The Fund may refrain entirely from purchasing these
types of Colorado Obligations. (See "Dividend and Tax
Information.")
The non-Colorado bonds or other obligations the interest on
which is exempt under present law from regular Federal and
Colorado income taxes are those issued by or under the authority
of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands. The Fund will not purchase Colorado Obligations of
non-Colorado issuers unless Colorado Obligations of Colorado
issuers of the desired quality, maturity and interest rate are
not available. As a Colorado-oriented fund, at least 65% of the
Fund's total assets will be invested in Colorado Obligations of
Colorado issuers. The Fund invests only in Colorado Obligations
and, possibly, in Futures and options on Futures (see below) for
protective (hedging) purposes.
In general, there are nine separate credit ratings ranging
from the highest to the lowest quality standards for municipal
obligations. So that the Fund will have a portfolio of quality
oriented (investment grade) securities, the Colorado Obligations
which the Fund will purchase must, at the time of purchase,
either (i) be rated within the four highest credit ratings
assigned by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"); or (ii) if unrated, be
determined to be of comparable quality to municipal obligations
so rated by KPM Investment Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"),
subject to the direction and control of the Fund's Board of
Trustees. Municipal obligations rated in the fourth highest
credit rating are considered by such rating agencies to be of
medium quality and thus may present investment risks not present
in more highly rated obligations. Such bonds lack outstanding
investment characteristics and may in fact have speculative
characteristics as well; changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
make principal and interest payments than is the case for higher
grade bonds. If after purchase the rating of any rated Colorado
Obligation is downgraded such that it could not then be purchased
by the Fund, or, in the case of an unrated Colorado Obligation,
if the Adviser determines that the unrated obligation is no
longer of comparable quality to those rated obligations which the
Fund may purchase, it is the current policy of the Fund to cause
any such obligation to be sold as promptly thereafter as the
Adviser in its discretion determines to be consistent with the
Fund's objectives; such obligation remains in the Fund's
portfolio until it is sold. In addition, because a downgrade
often results in a reduction in the market price of a downgraded
obligation, sale of such an obligation may result in a loss. See
Appendix A to the Additional Statement for further information as
to these ratings. The Fund can purchase industrial development
bonds only if they meet the definition of Colorado Obligations,
i.e., the interest on them is exempt from Colorado State and
regular Federal income taxes.
The Fund is classified as a "non-diversified" investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act"). The Fund also intends to continue to qualify as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code
(the "Code"). One of the tests for such qualification under the
Code is, in general, that at the end of each fiscal quarter of
the Fund, at least 50% of its assets must consist of (i) cash;
and (ii) securities which, as to any one issuer, do not exceed 5%
of the value of the Fund's assets. If the Fund had elected to
register under the 1940 Act as a "diversified" investment
company, it would have to meet the same test as to 75% of its
assets. The Fund may therefore not have as much diversification
among securities, and thus diversification of risk, as if it had
made this election under the 1940 Act. In general, the more the
Fund invests in the securities of specific issuers, the more the
Fund is exposed to risks associated with investments in those
issuers. The Fund's assets, being primarily or entirely Colorado
issues, are accordingly subject to economic and other conditions
affecting Colorado. (See "Risk Factors and Special Considerations
Regarding Investment in Colorado Obligations.")
Certain Stabilizing Measures
The Fund will employ such traditional measures as varying
maturities, upgrading credit standards for portfolio purchases,
broadening diversification and increasing its position in cash
and cash equivalents in attempting to protect against declines in
the value of its investments and other market risks. There can,
however, be no assurance that these will be successful. Although
the Fund has no current intention of using futures and options,
to the limited degree described below, these may be used to
attempt to hedge against changes in the market price of the
Fund's Colorado Obligations caused by interest rate fluctuations.
Futures and options could also provide a hedge against increases
in the cost of securities the Fund intends to purchase.
Although it does not currently do so, and since inception
has not done so, the Fund may buy and sell futures contracts
relating to indices on municipal bonds ("Municipal Bond Index
Futures") and to U.S. government securities ("U.S. Government
Securities Futures"); both kinds of futures contracts are
"Futures." The Fund may also write and purchase put and call
options on Futures.
As a matter of fundamental policy the Fund will not buy or
sell a Future or an option on a Future if thereafter more than
10% of its net assets would be in initial or variation margin on
such Futures and options on them, and in premiums on such
options. The Fund will not enter into Futures or options for
which the aggregate initial margins and premiums paid for options
exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's assets. (See the
Additional Statement.)
The primary risks associated with the use of Futures and
options are: (i) imperfect correlation between the change in the
market value of the securities held in the Fund's portfolio and
the prices of Futures or options purchased or sold by the Fund;
(ii) incorrect forecasts by the Adviser concerning interest rates
which may result in the hedge being ineffective; and (iii)
possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a Future or
option; the resulting inability to close a Futures or options
position could adversely affect the Fund's hedging ability.
For a hedge to be completely effective, the price change of
the hedging instrument should equal the price change of the
security being hedged. The risk of imperfect correlation of these
price changes is increased as the composition of the Fund's
portfolio is divergent from the debt securities underlying the
hedging instrument. To date, the Adviser has had no experience in
the use of Futures or options on them.
The liquidity of a secondary market in a Future may be
adversely affected by "daily price fluctuation limits"
established by commodity exchanges which restrict the amount of
change in the contract price allowed during a single trading day.
Thus, once a daily limit is reached, no further trades may be
entered into beyond the limit, thereby preventing the liquidation
of open positions. Prices have in the past reached the daily
limit on a number of consecutive trading days. For further
information about Futures and options, see the Additional
Statement.
When and if the Fund determines to use Futures and options,
the Prospectus will be supplemented.
Floating and Variable Rate Demand Notes
Floating and variable rate demand notes are tax-exempt
obligations which may have a stated maturity in excess of one
year, but permit the holder to demand payment of principal at any
time, or at specified intervals not exceeding one year, in each
case upon not more than 30 days' notice. The issuer of such notes
normally has a corresponding right, after a given period, to
prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the
note plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days'
notice to the noteholders. The interest rate on a floating rate
demand note is based on a known lending rate, such as a bank's
prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is
adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand note is
adjusted automatically at specified intervals.
Participation Interests
The Fund may purchase from financial institutions
participation interests in Colorado Obligations (such as
industrial development bonds and municipal lease/purchase
agreements). A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided
interest in the underlying Colorado Obligations in the proportion
that the Fund's participation interest bears to the total amount
of the underlying Colorado Obligations. All such participation
interests must meet the Fund's credit requirements. (See
"Limitation to 10% as to Certain Investments.")
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Purchases
The Fund may buy Colorado Obligations on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis when it has the intention of acquiring
them. The Colorado Obligations so purchased are subject to market
fluctuation and no interest accrues to the Fund until delivery
and payment take place; their value at the delivery date may be
less than the purchase price. The Fund cannot enter into
when-issued commitments exceeding in the aggregate 15% of the
market value of the Fund's total assets, less liabilities other
than the obligations created by when-issued commitments. If the
Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued
obligation prior to its acquisition, it could, as with the
disposition of any other portfolio holding, incur a gain or loss
due to market fluctuation; any such gain would be a taxable
short-term gain. The Fund places an amount of assets equal in
value to the amount due on the settlement date for the
when-issued or delayed delivery securities being purchased in a
segregated account with the Custodian, which is marked to market
every business day. See the Additional Statement for further
information.
Limitation to 10% as to Certain Investments
The Fund cannot purchase Colorado Obligations that are not
readily marketable if thereafter more than 10% of its net assets
would consist of such investments. However, this 10% limit does
not include any Colorado Obligations as to which the Fund can
exercise the right to demand payment in full within three days
and as to which there is a secondary market. Floating and
variable rate demand notes and participation interests (including
municipal lease/purchase obligations) are considered illiquid
unless determined by the Board of Trustees to be readily
marketable. (See the Additional Statement.)
Current Policy as to Certain Obligations
The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets
in (i) Colorado Obligations the interest on which is paid from
revenues of similar type projects or (ii) industrial development
bonds, unless the Prospectus and/or the Additional Statement are
supplemented to reflect the change and to give additional
information.
Factors Which May Affect the Value of
the Fund's Investments and Their Yields
The value of the Colorado Obligations in which the Fund
invests will fluctuate depending in large part on changes in
prevailing interest rates, and may be subject to other market
factors as well. If the prevailing interest rates go up after the
Fund buys Colorado Obligations, the value of these obligations
will normally go down; if these rates go down, the value of these
obligations will normally go up. Changes in value and yield based
on changes in prevailing interest rates may have different
effects on short-term Colorado Obligations than on long-term
obligations. Long-term obligations (which often have higher
yields) may fluctuate in value more than short-term ones. For
this reason, the Fund may, to achieve a defensive position,
shorten the average maturity of its portfolio.
Risk Factors and Special Considerations Regarding
Investment in Colorado Obligations
The following is a discussion of the general factors that
might influence the ability of Colorado issuers to repay
principal and interest when due on the Colorado Obligations
contained in the portfolio of the Fund. Such information is
derived from sources that are generally available to investors
and is believed by the Fund to be accurate, but has not been
independently verified and may not be complete.
Because of limitations contained in the state constitution,
the State of Colorado issues no general obligation bonds secured
by the full faith and credit of the state. Several agencies and
instrumentalities of state government are authorized by statute
to issue bonds secured by revenues from specific projects and
activities. Additionally, the state currently is authorized to
issue short-term revenue anticipation notes.
There are approximately 2,000 units of local government in
Colorado, including counties, statutory cities and towns,
home-rule cities and counties, school districts and a variety of
water, irrigation, and other special districts and special
improvement districts, all with various constitutional and
statutory authority to levy taxes and incur indebtedness. The
major source of revenue for funding such indebtedness is the ad
valorem property tax, which presently is levied and collected
solely at the local level, although the state is also authorized
to levy such taxes. There is a statutory restriction on the
amount of annual increases in taxes that can be levied by the
various taxing jurisdictions in Colorado without electoral
approval.
In 1992, an amendment to the Constitution of the State of
Colorado was approved and went into effect. In general, the
effect of the amendment is to limit the ability of the State and
local governments to increase revenues and expenditures, issue
debt and enter into other financial obligations and raise taxes.
Colorado's economy is diversified and the state has become
the services center for the Rocky Mountain region. The state's
economy includes agriculture, manufacturing (especially high
technology and communications), construction, tourism (ski
resorts and national parks) and mining (primarily oil
production). Colorado has recovered from economic difficulties
experienced during the past several years, which caused state
government revenue shortfalls at that time.
Employment in Colorado is diversified among services, trade,
government and manufacturing. Employment growth in Colorado has
exceeded that of the United States as a whole since 1989.
It can be expected that federal deficit reduction measures
will have significant direct and indirect impact on the economy
of the state as a whole and on specific localities with a large
presence of federal activity. As a result of all these factors,
there can be no assurance that further economic difficulties and
their impact on state and local government finances will not
adversely affect the market value of the Colorado Obligations
held by the Fund or the ability of the respective obligors to pay
debt service on certain of such obligations. Obligations of
non-Colorado issuers are subject to the risks of general economic
and other factors affecting those issuers.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has a number of policies about what it can and
cannot do. Certain of these policies, identified in the
Prospectus and Additional Statement as "fundamental policies,"
cannot be changed unless the holders of a "majority," as defined
in the 1940 Act, of the Fund's outstanding shares vote to change
them. (See the Additional Statement for a definition of such a
majority.) All other policies can be changed from time to time by
the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Some of the
more important of the Fund's fundamental policies, not otherwise
identified in the Prospectus, are set forth below; others are
listed in the Additional Statement.
1. The Fund invests only in certain limited securities.
The Fund cannot buy any securities other than the Colorado
Obligations meeting the standards stated under "Investment of the
Fund's Assets"; the Fund can also purchase and sell Futures and
options on them within the limits there discussed.
2. The Fund has industry investment requirements.
The Fund cannot buy the obligations of issuers in any one
industry if more than 25% of its total assets would then be
invested in securities of issuers of that industry; the Fund will
consider that a non-governmental user of facilities financed by
industrial development bonds is an issuer in an industry.
3. The Fund cannot make loans.
The Fund can buy those Colorado Obligations which it is
permitted to buy (see "Investment of the Fund's Assets"); this is
investing, not making a loan. The Fund cannot lend its portfolio
securities.
4. The Fund can borrow only in limited amounts for special
purposes.
The Fund can borrow from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes but only up to 10% of its total assets. It can mortgage
or pledge its assets only in connection with such borrowing and
only up to the lesser of the amounts borrowed or 5% of the value
of its total assets. However, this shall not prohibit margin
arrangements in connection with the purchase or sale of Municipal
Bond Index Futures, U.S. Government Securities Futures or options
on them, or the payment of premiums on those options. Interest on
borrowings would reduce the Fund's income. Except in connection
with borrowings, the Fund will not issue senior securities. The
Fund will not purchase any Colorado Obligations, Futures or
options on Futures while it has any outstanding borrowings which
exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The Fund's net asset value and offering price per share of
each class are determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time on each
day that the New York Stock Exchange is open (a "business day").
The net asset value per share is determined by dividing the value
of the net assets (i.e., the value of the assets less
liabilities) by the total number of shares outstanding.
Determination of the value of the Fund's assets is subject to the
direction and control of the Fund's Board of Trustees. In
general, it is based on market value, except that Colorado
Obligations maturing in 60 days or less are generally valued at
amortized cost; see the Additional Statement for further
information.
HOW TO INVEST IN THE FUND
Institutional Class Shares (Class Y Shares) are offered only
to institutional investors for investments held in a fiduciary,
advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity, or through them
to their clients, and are not offered to directly to retail
customers. Class Y Shares are offered at net asset value with no
sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales
charge and no distribution fee.
How to Purchase Class Y Shares
Class Y Shares of the Fund may be purchased through any
investment broker or dealer (a "selected dealer") which has a
sales agreement with Aquila Distributors, Inc. (the
"Distributor") or through the Distributor. There are two ways to
make an initial investment: (i) order the shares through your
investment broker or dealer, if it is a selected dealer; or (ii)
mail the Application with payment to Administrative Data
Management Corp. (the "Agent") at the address on the Application.
There is no sales charge on initial or subsequent investments.
You are urged to complete an Application and send it to the Agent
so that expedited shareholder services can be established at the
time of your investment.
The minimum initial investment for Class Y Shares is $1,000,
except as otherwise stated in the Prospectus or Additional
Statement. You may also make an initial investment of at least
$50 by establishing an Automatic Investment Program. To do this
you must open an account for automatic investments of at least
$50 each month and make an initial investment of at least $50.
(See below and "Automatic Investment Program" in the
Application.) Such investment must be drawn in United States
dollars on a United States commercial or savings bank, a credit
union or a United States branch of a foreign commercial bank
(each of which is a "Financial Institution"). You may make
subsequent investments in Class Y Shares in any amount (unless
you have an Automatic Withdrawal Plan). Your subsequent
investment may be made through a selected dealer or by forwarding
payment to the Agent, with the name(s) of account owner(s), the
account number and the name of the Fund. With subsequent
investments, please send the pre-printed stub attached to the
Fund's confirmations.
Subsequent investments of $50 or more in Class Y Shares can
be made by electronic funds transfer from your demand account at
a Financial Institution. To use electronic funds transfer for
your purchases, your Financial Institution must be a member of
the Automated Clearing House and the Agent must have received
your completed Application designating this feature, or, after
your account has been opened, a Ready Access Features form
available from the Distributor or the Agent. A pre-determined
amount can be regularly transferred for investment ("Automatic
Investment"), or single investments can be made upon receipt by
the Agent of telephone instructions from anyone ("Telephone
Investment"). The maximum amount of each Telephone Investment is
$50,000. Upon 30 days' written notice to shareholders, the Fund
may modify or terminate these investment methods at any time or
charge a service fee, although no such fee is currently
contemplated.
The offering price for Class Y Shares is the net asset value
per share. The offering price determined on any day applies to
all purchase orders received by the Agent from selected dealers
that day, except that orders received by it after 4:00 p.m. New
York time will receive that day's offering price only if such
orders were received by selected dealers from customers prior to
such time and transmitted to the Distributor prior to its close
of business that day (normally 5:00 p.m. New York time); if not
so transmitted, such orders will be filled at the next determined
offering price. Selected dealers are required to transmit orders
promptly. Investments by mail are made at the offering price next
determined after receipt of the purchase order by the Agent.
Purchase orders received on other than a business day will be
executed on the next succeeding business day. Purchases by
Automatic Investment and Telephone Investment will be executed on
the first business day occurring on or after the date an order is
considered received by the Agent at the price determined on that
day. In the case of Automatic Investment your order will be
executed on the date you specified for investment at the price
determined on that day. If that day is not a business day your
order will be executed at the price determined on the next
business day. In the case of Telephone Investment your order will
be filled at the next determined offering price. If your order is
placed after the time for determining the net asset value of the
Fund shares for any day, it will be executed at the price
determined on the following business day. The sale of shares will
be suspended during any period when the determination of net
asset value is suspended and may be suspended by the Distributor
when the Distributor judges it in the Fund's best interest to do
so.
At the date of the Prospectus, Class Y Shares of the Fund
are registered for sale only in Califonia, Colorado, District of
Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey,
New York and Virginia.
If you do not reside in these states and are not an
institutional investor, you should not purchase Class Y Shares of
the Fund. If shares are sold outside of Colorado, except to
certain institutional investors, the Fund can redeem them. Such a
redemption may result in a loss to you and may have tax
consequences. In addition, if your state of residence is not
Colorado, the dividends from the Fund may not be exempt from
income taxes of the state in which you reside. Accordingly, you
should consult your tax adviser before acquiring shares of the
Fund.
Possible Compensation for Dealers
The Distributor, at its own expense, may also provide
additional compensation to dealers in connection with sales of
any class of shares of the Fund. Additional compensation may
include payment or partial payment for advertising of the Fund's
shares, payment of travel expenses, including lodging, incurred
in connection with attendance at sales seminars taken by
qualifying registered representatives to locations within or
outside of the United States, other prizes or financial
assistance to securities dealers in offering their own seminars
or conferences. In some instances, such compensation may be made
available only to certain dealers whose representatives have sold
or are expected to sell significant amounts of such shares.
Dealers may not use sales of the Fund's shares to qualify for the
incentives to the extent such may be prohibited by the laws of
any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The cost to the
Distributor of such promotional activities and such payments to
participating dealers will not exceed the amount of the sales
charges in respect of sales of all classes of shares of the Fund
effected through such participating dealers, whether retained by
the Distributor or reallowed to participating dealers. No such
additional compensation to dealers in connection with sales of
shares of the Fund will affect the price you pay for shares or
the amount that the Fund will receive from such sales. Any of the
foregoing payments to be made by the Distributor may be made
instead by the Administrator out of its own funds, directly or
through the Distributor.
Brokers and dealers may receive different levels of
compensation for selling different classes of shares.
Confirmations and Share Certificates
All purchases of shares will be confirmed and credited to
you in an account maintained for you at the Agent in full and
fractional shares of the Fund (rounded to the nearest 1/1000th of
a share). No share certificates will be issued for Class Y
Shares.
The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any
order for the purchase of shares. In addition, the offering of
shares may be suspended at any time and resumed at any time
thereafter.
Distribution Plan
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the "Plan") under
Rule 12b-1 (the "Rule") under the 1940 Act. The Rule provides in
substance that an investment company may not engage directly or
indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended
to result in the sale of its shares except pursuant to a written
plan adopted under the Rule. No payments under the Plan from
assets represented by Class Y Shares are authorized.
The Plan contains provisions designed to protect against any
claim against or involving the Fund that some of the expenses
which might be considered to be sales-related which the Fund pays
or may pay come within the purview of the Rule. The Fund believes
that except for payments made with respect to Class A Shares and
Class C Shares it is not financing any such activity and does not
consider any payment enumerated in such provisions as so
financing any such activity. If and to the extent that any
payment as specifically listed in the Plan (see the Additional
Statement) is considered to be primarily intended to result in or
as indirect financing of any activity which is primarily intended
to result in the sale of Fund shares, these payments are
authorized under the Plan. In addition, if the Administrator, out
of its own funds, makes payment for distribution expenses such
payments are authorized. See the Additional Statement.
HOW TO REDEEM YOUR INVESTMENT
You may redeem all or any part of your Class Y Shares at the
net asset value next determined after acceptance of your
redemption request at the Agent. Redemptions can be made by the
various methods described below. There is no minimum period for
any investment in the Fund, except for shares recently purchased
by check, Automatic Investment or Telephone Investment as
discussed below. There are no redemption fees or penalties on
redemption of Class Y Shares. A redemption may result in a
transaction taxable to you.
For your convenience the Fund offers expedited redemption
for Class Y Shares to provide you with a high level of liquidity
for your investment.
Expedited Redemption Methods
You have the flexibility of two expedited methods of
initiating redemptions.
1. By Telephone. The Agent will accept instructions by
telephone from anyone to redeem shares and make payments
a) to a Financial Institution account you have
predesignated or
b) by check in the amount of $50,000 or less, mailed to
you, if your shares are registered in your name at the
Fund and the check is sent to your address of record,
provided that there has not been a change of your
address of record during the 30 days preceding your
redemption request. You can make only one request for
telephone redemption by check in any 7-day period.
See "Redemption Payments" below for payment methods. Your
name, your account number and your address of record must be
supplied.
To redeem an investment by this method, telephone:
800-872-2651 toll free or 908-855-5731
Note: The Fund, the Agent, and the Distributor will not be
responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if the Agent follows reasonable procedures designed
to verify the identity of the caller. The Agent will request some
or all of the following information: account name(s) and number,
name of the caller, the social security number registered to the
account and personal identification. The Agent may also record
calls. You should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately upon receipt.
2. By FAX or Mail. You may also request redemption payments
to a predesignated Financial Institution account by a letter
of instruction sent to: Administrative Data Management
Corp., Attn: Aquilasm Group of Funds, by FAX at 908-855-5730
or by mail at 581 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198,
indicating account name(s), account number, amount to be
redeemed, and any payment directions, signed by the
registered holder(s). Signature guarantees are not required.
See "Redemption Payments" below for payment methods.
If you wish to have redemption proceeds sent to a Financial
Institution Account, you should so elect on the Expedited
Redemption section of the Application or the Ready Access
Features form and provide the required information concerning
your Financial Institution account number. The Financial
Institution account must be in the exclusive name(s) of the
shareholder(s) as registered with the Fund. You may change the
designated Financial Institution account at any time by
completing and returning a Ready Access Features form. For
protection of your assets, this form requires signature
guarantees and possible additional documentation.
Regular Redemption Method
If you own Class Y Shares registered on the books of the
Fund, and you have not elected Expedited Redemption to a
predesignated Financial Institution account, you must use the
Regular Redemption Method. Under this redemption method you
should send a letter of instruction to: Administrative Data
Management Corp., Attn: Aquilasm Group of Funds, 581 Main Street,
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198, containing:
Account Name(s);
Account Number;
Dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed or a
statement that all shares held in the account are to be
redeemed;
Payment instructions (normally redemption proceeds will
be mailed to your address as registered with the Fund);
Signature(s) of the registered shareholder(s); and
Signature guarantee(s), if required, as indicated
below.
For a redemption request to be in "proper form," the
signature or signatures must be the same as in the registration
of the account. In a joint account, the signatures of both
shareholders are necessary. Signature guarantees may be required
if sufficient documentation is not on file with the Agent.
Additional documentation may be required where shares are held by
certain types of shareholders such as corporations, partnerships,
trustees or executors, or if redemption is requested by other
than the shareholder of record. If redemption proceeds of $50,000
or less are payable to the record holder and are to be sent to
the record address, no signature guarantee is required, except as
noted above. In all other cases, signatures must be guaranteed by
a member of a national securities exchange, a U.S. bank or trust
company, a state-chartered savings bank, a federally chartered
savings and loan association, a foreign bank having a U.S.
correspondent bank, a participant in the Securities Transfer
Association Medallion Program (STAMP), the Stock Exchanges
Medallion Program (SEMP) or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Medallion Signature Program (MSP). A notary public is not an
acceptable signature guarantor.
Redemption Payments
Redemption payments will ordinarily be mailed to you at your
address of record. If you so request and the amount of your
redemption proceeds is $1,000 or more, the proceeds will,
wherever possible, be wired or transferred through the facilities
of the Automated Clearing House to the Financial Institution
account specified in the Expedited Redemption section of your
Application or Ready Access Features form. The Fund may impose a
charge, not exceeding $5.00 per wire redemption, after written
notice to shareholders who have elected this redemption
procedure. The Fund has no present intention of making this
charge. Upon 30 days' written notice to shareholders, the Fund
may modify or terminate the use of the Automated Clearing House
to make redemption payments at any time or charge a service fee,
although no such fee is presently contemplated. If any such
changes are made, the Prospectus will be supplemented to reflect
them. If you use a broker or dealer to arrange for a redemption,
it may charge you a fee for this service.
The Fund will normally make payment for all shares redeemed
on the next business day (see "Net Asset Value Per Share")
following acceptance of the redemption request made in compliance
with one of the redemption methods specified above. Except as set
forth below, in no event will payment be made more than seven
days after acceptance of such a redemption request. However, the
right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment
postponed (i) during periods when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed for other than weekends and holidays or when trading on
such Exchange is restricted as determined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission by rule or regulation; (ii) during periods in
which an emergency, as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, exists which causes disposal of, or valuation of the
net asset value of, the portfolio securities to be unreasonable
or impracticable; or (iii) for such other periods as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may permit. Payment for
redemption of shares recently purchased by check (irrespective of
whether the check is a regular check or a certified, cashier's or
official bank check) or by Automatic Investment or Telephone
Investment may be delayed up to 15 days or until (i) the purchase
check or Automatic Investment or Telephone Investment has been
honored or (ii) the Agent has received assurances by telephone or
in writing from the Financial Institution on which the purchase
check was drawn, or from which the funds for Automatic Investment
or Telephone Investment were transferred, satisfactory to the
Agent and the Fund, that the purchase check or Automatic
Investment or Telephone Investment will be honored. Possible
delays in payment of redemption proceeds can be eliminated by
using wire payments or Federal Reserve drafts to pay for
purchases.
If the Trustees determine that it would be detrimental to
the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to
make payment wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the
redemption price in whole or in part by the distribution in kind
of securities from the portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in
conformity with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. See the Additional Statement for details.
The Fund has the right to compel the redemption of shares
held in any account if the aggregate net asset value of such
shares is less than $500 as a result of shareholder redemptions
or failure to meet the minimum investment level under an
Automatic Purchase Program. If the Board elects to do this,
shareholders who are affected will receive prior written notice
and will be permitted 60 days to bring their accounts up to the
minimum before this redemption is processed.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
You may establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan if you own or
purchase Class Y Shares of the Fund having a net asset value of
at least $5,000.
Under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan you will receive a
monthly or quarterly check in a stated amount, not less than $50.
If such a plan is established, all dividends and distributions
must be reinvested in your shareholder account. Redemption of
shares to make payments under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan will
give rise to a gain or loss for tax purposes. See the Automatic
Withdrawal Plan provisions of the Application included in the
Prospectus, the Additional Statement under "Automatic Withdrawal
Plan," and "Dividend and Tax Information" below.
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Board of Trustees
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the
direction and control of its Board of Trustees. The Additional
Statement lists the Fund's Trustees and officers and provides
further information about them.
The Advisory Agreement
KPM Investment Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") supervises
the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its
portfolio. The services of the Adviser are rendered under the
Advisory Agreement, which provides, subject to the control of the
Board of Trustees, for investment supervision of the Fund; at the
Adviser's expense providing for pricing of the Fund's portfolio
daily using a pricing service or other sources of pricing
information satisfactory to the Fund and, unless otherwise
directed by the Board of Trustees, providing for pricing of the
Fund's portfolio at least quarterly using another such source
satisfactory to the Fund. Fund accounting services are performed
by the Administrator.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays all
compensation of those officers and employees of the Fund and of
those Trustees, if any, who are affiliated with the Adviser.
Additionally, the Adviser agrees that it shall, at the Adviser's
expense, provide to the Fund all office space, facilities,
equipment and clerical personnel necessary for the carrying out
of the Adviser's duties under the Advisory Agreement.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund bears the cost of
preparing and setting in type its prospectuses, statements of
additional information, and reports to shareholders and the costs
of printing or otherwise producing and distributing those copies
of such prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports as are sent to its shareholders. Under the Advisory
Agreement, all costs and expenses not expressly assumed by the
Adviser or by the Administrator under the Administration
Agreement, or by the Fund's Distributor (principal underwriter),
are paid by the Fund. The Advisory Agreement lists examples of
such expenses borne by the Fund, the major categories of such
expenses being: legal and audit expenses, custodian, transfer
agent and shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses, stock
issuance and redemption costs, certain printing costs,
registration costs of the Fund and its shares under Federal and
State securities laws, interest, taxes and brokerage commissions,
and non-recurring expenses, including litigation.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays a fee payable
monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund as of the
close of business each business day at the annual rate of 0.20 of
1% of the Fund's net assets, provided, however, that for any day
that the Fund pays or accrues a fee under the Distribution Plan
of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund, the annual fee
shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.20 of 1% of such assets
up to $250 million and at the annual rate of 0.16 of 1% of such
net asset value with respect to assets of the Fund above that
amount.
The total investment advisory and administration fees which
the Fund pays are at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1% of such net
assets, since the Administrator also receives a fee from the Fund
under the Administration Agreement; see below. The Adviser and
the Administrator may, in order to attempt to achieve a
competitive yield on the shares of the Fund, each waive all or
part of any such fees. In practice, the rate of these fee waivers
tends to decline as assets of the Fund increase.
The Board of Trustees and shareholders of the Fund have
approved certain changes to the Advisory Agreement with
reductions in fees payable to the Adviser from an annual rate of
0.20 of 1% to 0.16 of 1% of all of the Fund's average annual net
assets. These reductions will be accompanied by reductions in the
fees payable to the Administrator (see "Administration
Agreement") and will match an increase in payments under the
Fund's Distribution Plan to keep the combined payments of the
Fund at current levels. The changes were not to be implemented
until the earlier of October 1, 1996 or the first day of the next
succeeding calendar quarter after the quarter in which the net
assets of the Fund exceed $250 million. As of the date of the
Prospectus, implementation of these changes has been postponed
indefinitely. When and if it is determined to implement these
changes the Prospectus will be supplemented. Until such time the
current arrangements will remain in effect.
The Adviser agrees that the above fee shall be reduced, but
not below zero, by an amount equal to its pro-rata portion (based
upon the aggregate fees of the Adviser and the Administrator) of
the amount, if any, by which the total expenses of the Fund in
any fiscal year, exclusive of taxes, interest and brokerage fees,
shall exceed the lesser of (i) 2.5% of the first $30 million of
average annual net assets of the Fund plus 2% of the next $70
million of such assets plus 1.5% of its average annual net assets
in excess of $100 million, or (ii) 25% of the Fund's total annual
investment income.
The Advisory Agreement contains provisions as to the
allocation of the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under these
provisions, the Adviser is authorized to consider sales of shares
of the Fund or of any other investment company or companies
having the same investment adviser, sub-adviser, administrator or
principal underwriter as the Fund. See the Additional Statement
for a description of these provisions and prior advisory
arrangements.
The Administration Agreement
Under an Administration Agreement (the "Administration
Agreement"), Aquila Management Corporation as Administrator, at
its own expense, provides office space, personnel, facilities and
equipment for the performance of its functions thereunder and as
is necessary in connection with the maintenance of the
headquarters of the Fund and pays all compensation of the Fund's
Trustees, officers and employees who are affiliated persons of
the Administrator. The Administration Agreement went into effect
in June, 1994, replacing an administration agreement then in
effect with the same terms except for the fee reductions in
connection with certain payments under the Fund's Distribution
Plan described below.
Under the Administration Agreement, subject to the control
of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Administrator provides all
administrative services to the Fund other than those relating to
its investment portfolio. Such administrative services include
but are not limited to maintaining books and records of the Fund,
either keeping the accounting records of the Fund, including the
computation of net asset value per share and the dividends or, at
its expense and responsibility, delegating such duties in whole
or in part to a company satisfactory to the Fund (however, the
daily pricing of the Fund's portfolio is the responsibility of
the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement), overseeing all
relationships between the Fund and its transfer agent, custodian,
legal counsel, auditors and principal underwriter, including the
negotiation of agreements in relation thereto, the supervision
and coordination of the performance of such agreements, and the
overseeing of all administrative matters which are necessary or
desirable for effective operation of the Fund and for the sale,
servicing, or redemption of the Fund's shares. See the Additional
Statement for a further description of functions listed in the
Administration Agreement as part of such duties.
Under the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays a fee
payable monthly and computed on the net asset value of the Fund
as of the close of business each business day at the annual rate
of 0.30 of 1% of the Fund's net assets, provided, however, that
for any day that the Fund pays or accrues a fee under the
Distribution Plan of the Fund based upon the assets of the Fund,
the annual fee shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.30 of 1%
of such assets up to $250 million (the "Base Amount"), and at the
annual rate of 0.24 of 1% of such net asset value with respect to
assets of the Fund above the Base Amount. The Administrator
agrees that the above fee shall be reduced, but not below zero,
by an amount equal to its pro-rata portion (based upon the
aggregate fees of the Adviser and the Administrator) of the
amount, if any, by which the total expenses of the Fund in any
fiscal year, exclusive of taxes, interest and brokerage fees,
shall exceed the lesser of (i) 2.5% of the first $30 million of
average annual net assets of the Fund plus 2% of the next $70
million of such assets plus 1.5% of its average annual net assets
in excess of $100 million, or (ii) 25% of the Fund's total annual
investment income.
The Board of Trustees has approved certain changes to the
Administration Agreement with reductions in fees payable to the
Administrator from an annual rate of 0.30 of 1% to 0.24 of 1% of
all of the Fund's average annual net assets. These reductions
will be accompanied by reductions in the fees payable to the
Adviser (see "Advisory Agreement") and will match an increase in
payments under the Fund's Distribution Plan to keep the combined
payments of the Fund at current levels. The changes were not to
be implemented until the earlier of October 1, 1996 or the first
day of the next succeeding calendar quarter after the quarter in
which the net assets of the Fund exceed $250 million. As of the
date of the Prospectus, implementation of these changes has been
postponed indefinitely. When and if it is determined to implement
these changes the Prospectus will be supplemented. Until such
time the current arrangements will remain in effect.
Information as to the Adviser,
the Administrator and the Distributor
The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KFS Corporation,
a member of the Mutual of Omaha Companies. The Fund's portfolio
is managed in the Adviser's Denver office. Founded in 1981, the
Adviser provides discretionary equity fixed income and balanced
account management to mutual funds, retirement plans,
foundations, endowments and high net-worth individuals and
currently manages over $1 billion of clients' assets.
Mr. Christopher Johns is the Fund's portfolio manager. Mr.
Johns has been a Vice President of the Adviser since 1992. From
1984 through 1992, he was a portfolio manager at United Bank of
Denver (now Norwest Bank, Denver) when it acted as investment
adviser to the Fund. He was formerly a portfolio manager of
Toledo Trust Company. He holds the degree of BBA in Finance from
the University of Cincinnati. Mr. John Wyszynski is the back-up
portfolio manager. He has been employed by the Adviser since 1993
as a Vice President. He has 14 years experience in managing
Colorado Obligations having worked a several firms including
Kirchner Moore and First Interstate Bank of Denver. He has an MBA
in Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago.
The Adviser has its primary office at 10250 Regency Circle,
Omaha, NE 68114 and its Denver office is located at One Norwest
Center, 1700 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203. Since 1983, the
Adviser has been wholly-owned by Mutual of Omaha Insurance
Company, whose principal office is at Mutual of Omaha Plaza,
Omaha, NE 68175.
For the year ended December 31, 1996, advisory fees of
$429,661 were paid or accrued to the Adviser, of which $7,388 was
voluntarily waived.
The Fund's Administrator is founder and administrator to the
Aquilasm Group of Funds, which consists of tax-free municipal
bond funds, money market funds and two equity funds. As of
December 31, 1996, these funds had aggregate assets of
approximately $2.7 billion, of which approximately $1.9 billion
consisted of assets of the tax-free municipal bond funds. The
Administrator, which was founded in 1984, is controlled by Mr.
Lacy B. Herrmann (directly, through a trust and through share
ownership by his wife). See the Additional Statement for
information on Mr. Herrmann.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, administration fees
of $644,125 were paid or accrued to the Administrator under the
Administration Agreement of which $99,853 was voluntarily waived.
The Distributor currently handles the distribution of the
shares of fourteen funds (five money market funds, seven tax-free
municipal bond funds and two equity funds), including the Fund.
Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is responsible
for the payment of certain printing and distribution costs
relating to prospectuses and reports as well as the costs of
supplemental sales literature, advertising and other promotional
activities.
At the date of the Prospectus, there is a proposed
transaction whereby all of the shares of the Distributor, which
are currently owned by Mr. Herrmann, will be owned by certain
directors and/or officers of the Administrator and/or the
Distributor, including Mr. Herrmann.
DIVIDEND AND TAX INFORMATION
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund will declare all of its net income, as defined
below, as dividends on every day, including weekends and
holidays, on those shares outstanding for which payment was
received by the close of business on the preceding business day.
Net income for dividend purposes includes all interest income
accrued by the Fund since the previous dividend declaration,
including accretion of any original issue discount, less expenses
paid or accrued. As such net income will vary, the Fund's
dividends will also vary.In addition, the dividends of each class
can vary because each class will bear certain class-specific
charges. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund with
respect to each class of its shares are calculated at the same
time and in the same manner.
It is the Fund's present policy to pay dividends so that
they will be received or credited by approximately the first day
of each month. Shareholders may elect to have dividends deposited
without charge by electronic funds transfers into an account at a
Financial Institution which is a member of the Automated Clearing
House by completing a Ready Access Features form.
Redeemed shares continue to earn dividends through and
including the earlier of (i) the day before the day on which the
redemption proceeds are mailed, wired or transferred by the
facilities of the Automated Clearing House by the Agent or paid
by the Agent to a selected dealer; or (ii) the third day on which
the New York Stock Exchange is open after the day on which the
net asset value of the redeemed shares has been determined. (See
"How To Redeem Your Investment.")
Net investment income includes amounts of income from the
Colorado Obligations in the Fund's portfolio which are allocated
as "exempt-interest dividends." "Exempt-interest dividends" are
exempt from regular Federal income tax. The allocation of
"exempt-interest dividends" will be made by the use of one
designated percentage applied uniformly to all income dividends
declared during the Fund's tax year. Such designation will
normally be made in the first month after the end of each of the
Fund's fiscal years as to income dividends paid in the prior
year. It is possible that in certain circumstances, a small
portion of the dividends paid by the Fund will be subject to
income taxes. During the Fund's fiscal year ended December 31,
1996, 97.86% of the Fund's dividends were "exempt-interest
dividends." For the calendar year 1996, 2.14% of the total
dividends paid were taxable as ordinary income. The percentage of
income designated as tax-exempt for any particular dividend may
be different from the percentage of the Fund's income that was
tax-exempt during the period covered by the dividend.
Distributions ("short-term gains distributions") from net
realized short-term gains, if any, and distributions ("long-term
gains distributions"), if any, from the excess of net long-term
capital gains over net short-term capital losses realized through
October 31st of each year and not previously paid out will be
paid out after that date; the Fund may also pay supplemental
distributions after the end of its fiscal year. If net capital
losses are realized in any year, they are charged against capital
and not against net investment income which is distributed
regardless of gains or losses. The Fund may be required to impose
backup withholding at a rate of 31% upon payment of redemptions
to shareholders, and from short- and long-term gains
distributions (if any) and any other distributions that do not
qualify as "exempt-interest dividends," if shareholders do not
comply with provisions of the law relating to the furnishing of
taxpayer identification numbers and reporting of dividends.
Unless you request otherwise by letter addressed to the
Agent or by filing an appropriate Application prior to a given
ex-dividend date, dividends and distributions will be
automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the
Fund at net asset value on the record date for the dividend or
distribution or other date fixed by the Board of Trustees. An
election to receive cash will continue in effect until written
notification of a change is received by the Agent. All
shareholders, whether their dividends are received in cash or are
being reinvested, will receive a monthly account summary
indicating the current status of their investment. There is no
fixed dividend rate. Corporate shareholders of the Fund are not
entitled to any deduction for dividends received from the Fund.
Tax Information
The Fund qualified during its last fiscal year as a
"regulated investment company" under the Code, and intends to
continue to so qualify. If it does so qualify, it will not be
liable for Federal income taxes on amounts paid by it as
dividends and distributions. However, the Code contains a number
of complex tests relating to such qualification and it is
possible although not likely that the Fund might not meet one or
more of these tests in any particular year. If it does not so
qualify, it would be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary
corporation, would receive no tax deduction for payments made to
shareholders and would be unable to pay dividends or
distributions which would qualify as "exempt-interest dividends"
or "capital gains dividends," as discussed below.
The Fund intends to qualify during each fiscal year under
the Code to pay "exempt-interest dividends" to its shareholders.
Exempt-interest dividends which are derived from net income
earned by the Fund on Colorado Obligations will be excludable
from gross income of the shareholders for regular Federal income
tax purposes. Capital gains dividends are not included in
exempt-interest dividends. Although "exempt-interest dividends"
are not taxed, each taxpayer must report the total amount of
tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends from the
Fund) received or acquired during the year.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 requires that
either gains realized by the Fund on the sale of municipal
obligations acquired after April 30, 1993 at a price which is
less than face or redemption value be included as ordinary income
to the extent such gains do not exceed such discount or that the
discount be amortized and included ratably in taxable income.
There is an exception to the foregoing treatment if the amount of
the discount is less than 0.25% of face or redemption value
multiplied by the number of years from acquisition to maturity.
The Fund will report such ordinary income in the years of sale or
redemption rather than amortize the discount and report it
ratably. To the extent the resultant ordinary taxable income is
distributed to shareholders, it will be taxable to them as
ordinary income.
Capital gains dividends (net long-term gains over net
short-term losses which the Fund distributes and so designates)
are reportable by shareholders as long-term capital gains. This
is the case whether the shareholder takes the distribution in
cash or elects to have the distribution reinvested in Fund shares
and regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his
or her shares. Capital gains are taxed at the same rates as
ordinary income, except that for individuals, trusts and estates
the maximum tax rate on capital gains distributions is 28% even
if the applicable rate on ordinary income for such taxpayers is
higher than 28%.
Short-term gains, when distributed, are taxed to
shareholders as ordinary income. Capital losses of the Fund are
not distributed but carried forward by the Fund to offset gains
in later years and thereby lessen the later-year capital gains
dividends and amounts taxed to shareholders.
The Fund's gains or losses on sales of Colorado Obligations
will be long-term or short-term depending upon the length of time
the Fund has held such obligations. Capital gains and losses of
the Fund will also include gains and losses on Futures and
options, if any, including gains and losses actually realized on
sales and exchanges and gains and losses deemed to be realized.
Those deemed to be realized are on Futures and options held by
the Fund at year-end, which are "marked to the market," that is,
deemed sold for fair market value. Net gains or losses realized
and deemed realized on Futures and options will be reportable by
the Fund as long-term to the extent of 60% of the gains or losses
and short-term to the extent of 40% regardless of the actual
holding period of such investments.
Information as to the tax status of the Fund's dividends and
distributions will be mailed to shareholders annually.
Under the Code, interest on loans incurred by shareholders
to enable them to purchase or carry shares of the Fund may not be
deducted for regular Federal tax purposes. In addition, under
rules used by the Internal Revenue Service for determining when
borrowed funds are deemed used for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying particular assets, the purchase of shares of the Fund
may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even
though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the
purchase of shares. The receipt of exempt-interest dividends from
the Fund by an individual shareholder may result in some portion
of any social security payments or railroad retirement benefits
received by the shareholder or the shareholder's spouse being
included in taxable income. Persons who are "substantial users"
(or persons related thereto) of facilities financed by industrial
development bonds or private activity bonds should consult their
own tax advisers before purchasing shares.
While interest from all Colorado Obligations is tax-exempt
for purposes of computing the shareholder's regular tax, interest
from so-called private activity bonds issued after August 7,
1986, constitutes a tax preference for both individuals and
corporations and thus will enter into a computation of the
alternative minimum tax. Whether or not that computation will
result in a tax will depend on the entire content of the
taxpayer's return. The Fund will not invest in the types of
Colorado Obligations which would give rise to interest that would
be subject to alternative minimum taxation if more than 20% of
its net assets would be so invested, and may refrain from
investing in that type of bond completely. The 20% limit is a
fundamental policy of the Fund.
Corporate shareholders must add to or subtract from
alternative minimum taxable income, as calculated before taking
into consideration this adjustment, 75% of the difference between
what is called adjusted current earnings (essentially current
earnings and profits) and alternative minimum taxable income, as
previously calculated. Since tax-exempt bond interest is included
in earnings and profits and therefore in adjusted current
earnings, this adjustment will tend to make it more likely that
corporate shareholders will be subject to the alternative minimum
tax.
Tax Effects of Redemptions
Normally, when you redeem shares of the Fund you will
recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between
the proceeds received in the redemption and the amount you paid
for the shares. The gain or loss will be long-term if you held
the redeemed shares for over a year, and short-term if for a year
or less. However, if shares held for six months or less are
redeemed and you have a loss, two special rules apply: the loss
is reduced by the amount of exempt-interest dividends, if any,
which you received on the redeemed shares, and any loss over and
above the amount of such exempt-interest dividends is treated as
a long-term loss to the extent you have received capital gains
dividends on the redeemed shares.
Colorado Tax Information
Dividends and distributions made by the Fund to Colorado
individuals, trusts, estates and corporations subject to the
Colorado income tax will generally be treated for Colorado income
tax purposes in the same manner as they are treated under the
Code for Federal income tax purposes. Since the Fund may, except
as indicated below, purchase only Colorado Obligations (which, as
defined, means obligations, including those of non-Colorado
issuers, of any maturity which pay interest which, in the opinion
of counsel, is exempt from regular Federal income taxes and
Colorado income taxes), none of the exempt-interest dividends
paid by the Fund will be subject to Colorado income tax. The Fund
may also pay "short-term gains distributions" and "long-term
gains distributions," each as discussed under "Dividends and
Distributions" above. Under Colorado income tax law, each
short-term gains distribution will be treated as a short-term
gain and each long-term gains distribution will be treated as a
long-term capital gain. The only investment which the Fund may
make other than in Colorado Obligations is in Futures and options
on them. Any gains on Futures and options (including gains
imputed under the Code) paid as part or all of a short-term gains
distribution or a long-term gains distribution will be taxed as
indicated above.
Persons or entities who are not Colorado residents should
not be subject to Colorado income taxation on dividends and
distributions made by the Fund unless the nonresident employs his
or her interest in the Fund in a business, trade, profession or
occupation carried on in Colorado but may be subject to other
state and local taxes. As intangibles, shares of the Fund will be
exempt from Colorado property taxes.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
There is an exchange privilege as set forth below among this
Fund and certain tax-free municipal bond funds and two equity
funds (the "Bond or Equity Funds") and certain money market funds
(the "Money-Market Funds"), all of which are sponsored by Aquila
Management Corporation and Aquila Distributors, Inc., and have
the same Administrator and Distributor as the Fund. All exchanges
are subject to certain conditions described below. As of the date
of the Prospectus, the Aquila-sponsored Bond or Equity Funds are
this Fund, Aquila Rocky Mountain Equity Fund, Aquila Cascadia
Equity Fund, Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust, Tax-Free Trust of Arizona,
Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky,
Tax-Free Fund For Utah and Narragansett Insured Tax-Free Income
Fund; the Aquila Money-Market Funds are Capital Cash Management
Trust, Pacific Capital Cash Assets Trust (Original Shares),
Pacific Capital Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust (Original Shares),
Pacific Capital U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust (Original
Shares) and Churchill Cash Reserves Trust.
Class Y Shares of the Fund may be exchanged only for Class Y
Shares of the Bond or Equity Funds or for shares of a
Money-Market Fund.
Under the Class Y exchange privilege, once Class Y Shares of
any Bond or Equity Fund have been purchased, those shares (and
any shares acquired as a result of reinvestment of dividends
and/or distributions) may be exchanged any number of times
between Money-Market Funds and Class Y Shares of the Bond or
Equity Funds without the payment of any sales charge.
The "Class Y Eligible Shares" of any Bond or Equity Fund are
those shares which were (a) acquired by direct purchase including
by exchange by an institutional investor from a Money-Market
Fund, or which were received in exchange for Class Y Shares of
another Bond or Equity Fund; or (b) acquired as a result of
reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions on otherwise Class
Y Eligible Shares. Shares of a Money-Market Fund not acquired in
exchange for Class Y Eligible Shares of a Bond or Equity Fund can
be exchanged for Class Y Shares of a Bond or Equity Fund only by
persons eligible to make an initial purchase of Class Y Shares.
This Fund, as well as the Money-Market Funds and other Bond
or Equity Funds, reserves the right to reject any exchange into
its shares, if shares of the fund into which exchange is desired
are not available for sale in your state of residence. The Fund
may also modify or terminate this exchange privilege at any time.
In the case of termination, the Prospectus will be appropriately
supplemented. No such modification or termination shall take
effect on less than 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
All exercises of the exchange privilege are subject to the
conditions that (i) the shares being acquired are available for
sale in your state of residence; (ii) the aggregate net asset
value of the shares surrendered for exchange are at least equal
to the minimum investment requirements of the investment company
whose shares are being acquired and (iii) the ownership of the
accounts from which and to which the exchange is made are
identical.
The Agent will accept telephone exchange instructions from
anyone. To make a telephone exchange telephone:
800-872-2651 toll free or 908-855-5731
Note: The Fund, the Agent, and the Distributor will not be
responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone
transactions if the Agent follows reasonable procedures designed
to verify the identity of the caller. The Agent will request some
or all of the following information: account name(s) and number,
name of the caller, the social security number registered to the
account and personal identification. The Agent may also record
calls. You should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately upon receipt.
Exchanges of Class Y Shares will be effected at the relative
net asset values of the Class Y Shares being exchanged next
determined after receipt by the Agent of your exchange request.
Prices for exchanges are determined in the same manner as for
purchases of the Fund's shares. See "How to Invest in the Fund."
An exchange is treated for Federal tax purposes as a
redemption and purchase of shares and may result in the
realization of a capital gain or loss, depending on the cost or
other tax basis of the shares exchanged and the holding period
(see "Tax Effects of Redemptions" and the Additional Statement);
no representation is made as to the deductibility of any such
loss should such occur.
Dividends paid by the Money-Market Funds are taxable, except
to the extent that a portion or all of the dividends paid by
Pacific Capital Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust (a tax-free
money-market Fund) are exempt from regular Federal income tax,
and to the extent that a portion or all of the dividends paid by
Pacific Capital U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust (which invests
in U.S. Treasury obligations) are exempt from state income taxes.
Dividends paid by Aquila Rocky Mountain Equity Fund and Aquila
Cascadia Equity Fund are taxable. If your state of residence is
not the same as that of the issuers of obligations in which a
tax-free municipal bond fund or a tax-free money-market fund
invests, the dividends from that fund may be subject to income
tax of the state in which you reside. Accordingly, you should
consult your tax adviser before acquiring shares of such a bond
fund or a tax-free money-market fund under the exchange privilege
arrangement.
If you are considering an exchange into one of the funds
listed above, you should send for and carefully read its
Prospectus.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Performance
Advertisements, sales literature and communications to
shareholders may contain various measures of the Fund's
performance including current yield, taxable equivalent yield,
various expressions of total return, current distribution rate
and taxable equivalent distribution rate.
Average annual total return figures, as prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, represent the average annual
percentage change in value of a hypothetical $1,000 purchase, at
the maximum public offering price (offering price includes any
applicable sales charge) for 1- and 5-year periods and for a
period since the inception of the Fund, to the extent applicable,
through the end of such periods, assuming reinvestment (without
sales charge) of all distributions. The Fund may also furnish
total return quotations for other periods or based on investments
at various applicable sales charge levels or at net asset value.
For such purposes total return equals the total of all income and
capital gains paid to shareholders, assuming reinvestment of all
distributions, plus (or minus) the change in the value of the
original investment, expressed as a percentage of the purchase
price. See the Additional Statement.
Current yield reflects the income per share earned by each
of the Fund's portfolio investments; it is calculated by (i)
dividing the Fund's net investment income per share during a
recent 30-day period by (ii) the maximum public offering price on
the last day of that period and by (iii) annualizing the result.
Taxable equivalent yield shows the yield from a taxable
investment that would be required to produce an after-tax yield
equivalent to that of the Fund, which invests in tax-exempt
obligations. It is computed by dividing the tax-exempt portion of
the Fund's yield (calculated as indicated) by one minus a stated
income tax rate and by adding the product to the taxable portion
(if any) of the Fund's yield. See the Additional Statement.
Current yield and taxable equivalent yield, which are
calculated according to a formula prescribed by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (see the Additional Statement), are not
indicative of the dividends or distributions which were or will
be paid to the Fund's shareholders. Dividends or distributions
paid to shareholders are reflected in the current distribution
rate or taxable equivalent distribution rate which may be quoted
to shareholders. The current distribution rate is computed by (i)
dividing the total amount of dividends per share paid by the Fund
during a recent 30-day period by (ii) the current maximum
offering price and by (iii) annualizing the result. A taxable
equivalent distribution rate shows the taxable distribution rate
that would be required to produce an after-tax distribution rate
equivalent to the Fund's distribution rate (calculated as
indicated above). The current distribution rate differs from the
current yield computation because it could include distributions
to shareholders from sources, if any, other than dividends and
interest, such as short-term capital gains or return of capital.
If distribution rates are quoted in advertising, they will be
accompanied by calculations of current yield in accordance with
the formula of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In each case performance figures are based upon past
performance, reflect as appropriate all recurring charges against
the Fund's income net of fee waivers and reimbursement of
expenses, if any, and will assume the payment of the maximum
sales charge on the purchase of shares, but not on reinvestment
of income dividends. The investment results of the Fund, like all
other investment companies, will fluctuate over time; thus,
performance figures should not be considered to represent what an
investment may earn in the future or what the Fund's yield, tax
equivalent yield, distribution rate, taxable equivalent
distribution rate or total return may be in any future period.
The annual report of the Fund contains additional performance
information that will be made available upon request and without
charge.
Description of the Fund and Its Shares
The Fund is an open-end, non-diversified management
investment company organized in 1987 as a Massachusetts business
trust. (See "Investment of the Fund's Assets" for further
information about the Fund's status as "non-diversified.")
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an
unlimited number of full and fractional shares and to divide or
combine the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares
without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests
in the Fund. Each share represents an equal proportionate
interest in the Fund with each other share of its class; shares
of the respective classes represent proportionate interests in
the Fund in accordance with their respective net asset values.
Income, direct liabilities and direct operating expenses of each
series will be allocated directly to each series, and general
liabilities and expenses, if any, of the Fund will be allocated
among the series in a manner acceptable to the Board of Trustees.
Upon liquidation of a series, shareholders of the series are
entitled to share pro-rata in the net assets of that series
available for distribution to shareholders and upon liquidation
of the Fund, the respective series are entitled to share
proportionately in the assets available to the Fund after
allocation to the various series. Shareholders of each series or
class are entitled to share pro-rata in the net assets of the
Fund available for distribution to shareholders, in accordance
with the respective net asset values of the shares of that series
or class at that time. All shares are presently divided into
three classes; however, if they deem it advisable and in the best
interests of shareholders, the Board of Trustees of the Fund may
create additional classes of shares, which may differ from each
other as provided in rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or by exemptive order. The Board of Trustees
may, at its own discretion, create additional series of shares,
each of which may have separate assets and liabilities (in which
case any such series will have a designation including the word
"Series"). See the Additional Statement for further information
about possible additional series. Shares are fully paid and
non-assessable, except as set forth under the caption "General
Information" in the Additional Statement; the holders of shares
have no pre-emptive or conversion rights.
The other two classes of shares of the Fund are
Front-Payment Class Shares ("Class A Shares") and Level-Payment
Class Shares ("Class C Shares"), which are fully described in a
separate prospectus that can be obtained by calling the Fund at
800-872-2652.
The primary distinction among the Fund's three classes of
shares lies in their different sales charge structures and
ongoing expenses, which are likely to be reflected in differing
yields and other measures of investment performance. All three
classes represent interests in the same portfolio of Colorado
Obligations and have the same rights, except that each class
bears the separate expenses, if any, of its participation in the
Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan and has exclusive
voting rights with respect to such participation. There are no
distribution fees with respect to Class Y Shares.
Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund with
respect to shares of each class are calculated in the same manner
and at the same time, but may differ depending upon the
distribution and service fees, if any, and other class-specific
expenses borne by each class.
The Fund's Distribution Plan has three parts. In addition to
the defensive provisions described above, Parts I and II of the
Plan authorize payments, to certain "Qualified Recipients," out
of the Fund assets allocable to the Class A Shares and Class C
Shares, respectively. See the Additional Statement. The Fund has
also adopted a Shareholder Services Plan under which the Fund is
authorized to make certain payments out of the Fund assets
allocable to the Class C Shares. See the Additional Statement.
Voting Rights
At any meeting of shareholders, shareholders are entitled to
one vote for each dollar of net asset value (determined as of the
record date for the meeting) per share held (and proportionate
fractional votes for fractional dollar amounts). Shareholders
will vote on the election of Trustees and on other matters
submitted to the vote of shareholders. Shares vote by classes on
any matter specifically affecting one or more classes, such as an
amendment of an applicable part of the Distribution Plan. No
amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Fund except that the Fund's Board of Trustees may
change the name of the Fund. The Fund may be terminated (i) upon
the sale of its assets to another issuer, or (ii) upon
liquidation and distribution of the assets of the Fund, in either
case if such action is approved by the vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. If not so
terminated, the Fund will continue indefinitely.
<PAGE>
APPLICATION FOR TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO
FOR CLASS Y SHARES ONLY
PLEASE COMPLETE STEPS 1 THROUGH 4 AND MAIL TO:
ADM, ATTN: AQUILA SM GROUP OF FUNDS
581 MAIN STREET, WOODBRIDGE, NJ 07095-1198
Tel.# 1-800-872-2651
STEP 1
A. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION
___Individual Use line 1
___Joint Account* Use lines 1&2
___For a Minor Use line 3
___For Trust, Corporation, Partnership or other Entity Use line 4
* Joint Accounts will be Joint Tenants with rights of survivorship
unless otherwise specified.
** Uniformed Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act.
Please type or print name exactly as account is to be registered
1.________________________________________________________________
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Social Security Number
2.________________________________________________________________
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Social Security Number
3.________________________________________________________________
Custodian's First Name Middle Initial Last Name
Custodian for ____________________________________________________
Minor's First Name Middle Initial Last Name
Under the ___________UGTMA** _____________________________________
Name of State Minor's Social Security Number
4. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(Name of Corporation or Partnership. If a Trust, include the name(s)
of Trustees in which account will be registered and the name and date
of the Trust Instrument. Account for a Pension or Profit Sharing Plan
or Trust may be registered in the name of the Plan or Trust itself.)
___________________________________________________________________
Tax I.D. Number Authorized Individual Title
B. MAILING ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
____________________________________________________
Street or PO Box City
_______________________________(______)______________
State Zip Daytime Phone Number
Occupation:________________________Employer:________________________
Employer's Address:__________________________________________________
Street Address: City State Zip
Citizen or resident of: ___ U.S. ___ Other Check here ___ if you
are a non-U.S. Citizen or resident and not subject to back-up
withholding (See certification in Step 4, Section B, below.)
C. INVESTMENT DEALER OR BROKER:
(Important - to be completed by Dealer or Broker)
_______________________ _____________________________
Dealer Name Branch Number
_______________________ _____________________________
Street Address Rep. Number/Name
_______________________ (_______)_____________________
City State Zip Area Code Telephone
STEP 2
PURCHASES OF SHARES
A. INITIAL INVESTMENT
Indicate Method of Payment (For either method, make check
payable to: TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO)
___Initial Investment $ ______________ (Minimum investment $1,000)
___Automatic Investment $______________ (Minimum $50)
For Automatic Investment of at least $50 per month, you must complete
Step 3, Section A, Step 4, Sections A & B and ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED
DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK.
B. DISTRIBUTIONS
All income dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares at Net Asset Value unless otherwise
indicated below.
Dividends are to be:___ Reinvested ___Paid in cash*
Capital Gains Distributions are to be: ___ Reinvested ___ Paid in cash*
* For cash dividends, please choose one of the following options:
___ Deposit directly into my/our Financial Institution account.
ATTACHED IS A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK
showing the Financial Institution account where I/we would like you
to deposit the dividend. (A Financial Institution is a commercial
bank, savings bank or credit union.)
___ Mail check to my/our address listed in Step 1.
STEP 3
SPECIAL FEATURES
A. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
This option provides you with a convenient way to have amounts
automatically drawn on your Financial Institution account and invested
in your Tax-Free Fund of Colorado Account. To establish this program,
please complete Step 4, Sections A & B of this Application.
I/We wish to make regular monthly investments of $ _________________
(minimum $50) on the ___ 1st day or ___ 16th day of the month (or on
the first business day after that date).
(YOU MUST ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK)
B. TELEPHONE INVESTMENT
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
This option provides you with a convenient way to add to your account
(minimum $50 and maximum $50,000) at any time you wish by simply calling
the Fund toll-free at 1-800-872-2651. To establish this program, please
complete Step 4, Sections A & B of this Application.
(YOU MUST ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK)
C. AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
(Minimum investment $5,000)
Application must be received in good order at least 2 weeks
prior to 1st actual liquidation date.
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
Please establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan for this account,
subject to the terms of the Automatic Withdrawal Plan Provisions set
forth below. To realize the amount stated below, Administrative
Data Management Corp. (the Agent) is authorized to redeem sufficient
shares from this account at the then current Net Asset Value, in
accordance with the terms below:
Dollar Amount of each withdrawal $ ______________beginning________________ .
Minimum: $50 Month/Year
Payments to be made: ___ Monthly or ___ Quarterly
Checks should be made payable as indicated below. If check is
payable to a Financial Institution for your account, indicate
Financial Institution name, address and your account number.
_______________________________ ______________________________________
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Financial Institution Name
_______________________________ ______________________________________
Street Financial Institution Street Address
_______________________________ ______________________________________
City State Zip City State Zip
____________________________________
Financial Institution Account Number
D. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
This option allows you to effect exchanges among accounts in your
name within the Aquila SM Group of Funds by telephone.
The Agent is authorized to accept and act upon my/our or any other
persons telephone instructions to execute the exchange of shares of one
Aquila-sponsored fund for shares of another Aquila-sponsored fund with
identical shareholder registration in the manner described in the
Prospectus. Except for gross negligence in acting upon such telephone
instructions to execute an exchange, and subject to the conditions set
forth herein, I/we understand and agree to hold harmless the Agent, each
of the Aquila Funds, and their respective officers, directors, trustees,
employees, agents and affiliates against any liability, damage, expense,
claim or loss, including reasonable costs and attorneys fees, resulting
from acceptance of, or acting or failure to act upon, this Authorization.
E. EXPEDITED REDEMPTION
(Check appropriate box)
___ Yes ___ No
The proceeds will be deposited to your Financial Institution
account listed.
Cash proceeds in any amount from the redemption of shares will
be mailed or wired, whenever possible, upon request, if in an amount
of $1,000 or more to my/our account at a Financial Institution. The
Financial Institution account must be in the same name(s) as this
Fund account is registered.
(YOU MUST ATTACH A PRE-PRINTED DEPOSIT SLIP OR VOIDED CHECK).
_______________________________ ____________________________________
Account Registration Financial Institution Account Number
_______________________________ ____________________________________
Financial Institution Name Financial Institution Transit/Routing
Number
_______________________________ ____________________________________
Street City State Zip
STEP 4
Section A
DEPOSITORS AUTHORIZATION TO HONOR DEBITS
IF YOU SELECTED AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OR TELEPHONE INVESTMENT
YOU MUST ALSO COMPLETE STEP 4, SECTIONS A & B.
I/We authorize the Financial Institution listed below to charge to
my/our account any drafts or debits drawn on my/our account initiated
by the Agent, Administrative Data Management Corp., and to pay such
sums in accordance therewith, provided my/our account has sufficient
funds to cover such drafts or debits. I/We further agree that your
treatment of such orders will be the same as if I/we personally signed
or initiated the drafts or debits.
I/We understand that this authority will remain in effect until you
receive my/our written instructions to cancel this service. I/We also
agree that if any such drafts or debits are dishonored, for any
reason, you shall have no liabilities.
Financial Institution Account Number _______________________________________
Name and Address where my/our account is maintained
Name of Financial Institution______________________________________________
Street Address_____________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State _________ Zip ________
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Depositor(s) as they appear where account is
registered
______________________________________________
(Please Print)
X_____________________________________________ __________________
(Signature) (Date)
______________________________________________
(Please Print)
X_____________________________________________ __________________
(Signature) (Date)
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
To: Financial Institution Named Above
So that you may comply with your depositor's request, Aquila
Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") agrees:
1 Electronic Funds Transfer debit and credit items transmitted pursuant
to the above authorization shall be subject to the provisions of the
Operating Rules of the National Automated Clearing House Association.
2 To indemnify and hold you harmless from any loss you may suffer in
connection with the execution and issuance of any electronic debit
in the normal course of business initiated by the Agent (except
any loss due to your payment of any amount drawn against insufficient
or uncollected funds), provided that you promptly notify us in
writing of any claim against you with respect to the same, and further
provided that you will not settle or pay or agree to settle or pay any
such claim without the written permission of the Distributor.
3 To indemnify you for any loss including your reasonable costs and
expenses in the event that you dishonor, with or without cause,
any such electronic debit.
STEP 4
Section B
SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION/SIGNATURE(S) REQUIRED
- - The undersigned warrants that he/she has full authority and is of
legal age to purchase shares of the Fund and has received and
read a current Prospectus of the Fund and agrees to its terms.
- - I/We authorize the Fund and its agents to act upon these
instructions for the features that have been checked.
- - I/We acknowledge that in connection with an Automatic Investment or
Telephone Investment, if my/our account at the Financial Institution
has insufficient funds, the Fund and its agents may cancel the
purchase transaction and are authorized to liquidate other shares or
fractions thereof held in my/our Fund account to make up any deficiency
resulting from any decline in the net asset value of shares so
purchased and any dividends paid on those shares. I/We authorize the
Fund and its agents to correct any transfer error by a debit or credit
to my/our Financial Institution account and/or Fund account and to
charge the account for any related charges. I/We acknowledge that
shares purchased either through Automatic Investment or Telephone
Investment are subject to applicable sales charges.
- - The Fund, the Agent and the Distributor and their Trustees, directors,
employees and agents will not be liable for acting upon instructions
believed to be genuine, and will not be responsible for any losses
resulting from unauthorized telephone transactions if the Agent follows
reasonable procedures designed to verify the identity of the caller.
The Agent will request some or all of the following information: account
name and number; name(s) and social security number registered to the
account and personal identification; the Agent may also record calls.
Shareholders should verify the accuracy of confirmation statements
immediately upon receipt. Under penalties of perjury, the undersigned
whose Social Security (Tax I.D.) Number is shown above certifies
(i) that Number is my correct taxpayer identification number and
(ii) currently I am not under IRS notification that I am subject to
backup withholding (line out (ii) if under notification). If no such
Number is shown, the undersigned further certifies, under penalties
of perjury, that either (a) no such Number has been issued, and a
Number has been or will soon be applied for; if a Number is not
provided to you within sixty days, the undersigned understands that
all payments (including liquidations) are subject to 31% withholding
under federal tax law, until a Number is provided and the undersigned
may be subject to a $50 I.R.S. penalty; or (b) that the undersigned
is not a citizen or resident of the U.S.; and either does not expect
to be in the U.S. for 183 days during each calendar year and does
not conduct a business in the U.S. which would receive any gain from
the Fund, or is exempt under an income tax treaty.
NOTE: ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF THE ACCOUNT MUST SIGN BELOW.
FOR A TRUST, ALL TRUSTEES MUST SIGN.*
__________________________ ____________________________ _________
Individual (or Custodian) Joint Registrant, if any Date
__________________________ ____________________________ _________
Corporate Officer, Partner, Title Date
Trustee, etc.
* For Trust, Corporations or Associations, this form must be accompanied
by proof of authority to sign, such as a certified copy of the corporate
resolution or a certificate of incumbency under the trust instrument.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
- - Certain features (Automatic Investment, Telephone Investment,
Expedited Redemption and Direct Deposit of Dividends) are effective
15 days after this form is received in good order by the Fund's Agent.
- - You may cancel any feature at any time, effective 3 days after the
Agent receives written notice from you.
- - Either the Fund or the Agent may cancel any feature, without prior
notice, if in its judgment your use of any feature involves unusual
effort or difficulty in the administration of your account.
- - The Fund reserves the right to alter, amend or terminate any or all
features or to charge a service fee upon 30 days written notice to
shareholders except if additional notice is specifically required by
the terms of the Prospectus.
BANKING INFORMATION
- - If your Financial Institution account changes, you must complete a
Ready Access features form which may be obtained from Aquila
Distributors at 1-800-872-2652 and send it to the Agent together
with a "voided" check or pre-printed deposit slip from the new
account. The new Financial Institution change is effective in 15
days after this form is received in good order by the Fund's Agent.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN PROVISIONS
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal Plan, the applicant agrees to
the terms and conditions applicable to such plans, as stated below.
1. The Agent will administer the Automatic Withdrawal Plan
(the "Plan") as agent for the person (the "Planholder") who
executed the Plan authorization.
2. Certificates will not be issued for shares of the Fund purchased
for and held under the Plan, but the Agent will credit all such
shares to the Planholder on the records of the Fund. Any share
certificates now held by the Planholder may be surrendered
unendorsed to the Agent with the application so that the shares
represented by the certificate may be held under the Plan.
3. Dividends and distributions will be reinvested in shares of the
Fund at Net Asset Value without a sales charge.
4. Redemptions of shares in connection with disbursement payments
will be made at the Net Asset Value per share in effect at the
close of business on the last business day of the month or quarter.
5. The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address
to which checks are to be mailed may be changed, at any time, by the
Planholder on written notification to the Agent. The Planholder
should allow at least two weeks time in mailing such notification
before the requested change can be put in effect.
6. The Planholder may, at any time, instruct the Agent by written notice
(in proper form in accordance with the requirements of the then current
Prospectus of the Fund) to redeem all, or any part of, the shares held
under the Plan. In such case the Agent will redeem the number of shares
requested at the Net Asset Value per share in effect in accordance with
the Fund's usual redemption procedures and will mail a check for the
proceeds of such redemption to the Planholder.
7. The Plan may, at any time, be terminated by the Planholder on written
notice to the Agent, or by the Agent upon receiving directions to that
effect from the Fund. The Agent will also terminate the Plan upon
receipt of evidence satisfactory to it of the death or legal
incapacity of the Planholder. Upon termination of the Plan by the
Agent or the Fund, shares remaining unredeemed will be held in an
uncertificated account in the name of the Planholder, and the account
will continue as a dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated account
unless and until proper instructions are received from the Planholder,
his executor or guardian, or as otherwise appropriate.
8. The Agent shall incur no liability to the Planholder for any action
taken or omitted by the Agent in good faith.
9. In the event that the Agent shall cease to act as transfer agent for
the Fund, the Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor
transfer agent to act as his agent in administering the Plan.
10.Purchases of additional shares concurrently with withdrawals are
undesirable because of sales charges when purchases are made.
Accordingly, a Planholder may not maintain this Plan while
simultaneously making regular purchases. While an occasional lump sum
investment may be made, such investment should normally be an amount
equivalent to three times the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever
is less.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
KPM Investment Management, Inc.
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 1300
Denver, Colorado 80203
ADMINISTRATOR
Aquila Management Corporation
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lacy B. Herrmann, Chairman
Tucker Hart Adams
Arthur K. Carlson
William M. Cole
Anne J. Mills
J. William Weeks
John G. Welles
OFFICERS
Lacy B. Herrmann, President
Jean M. Smith, Vice President
Marie Aro, Vice President
Rose F. Marotta, Chief Financial Officer
Richard F. West, Treasurer
Edward M.W. Hines, Secretary
DISTRIBUTOR
Aquila Distributors, Inc.
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
Administrative Data Management Corp.
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095-1198
CUSTODIAN
Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
100 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43271
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
COUNSEL
Hollyer Brady Smith Troxell
Barrett Rockett Hines & Mone LLP
551 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10176
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Highlights.......................................
Table of Expenses................................
Financial Highlights.............................
Introduction.....................................
Investment Of The Fund's Assets..................
Investment Restrictions.........................
Net Asset Value Per Share.......................
How To Invest In The Fund.......................
How To Redeem Your Investment...................
Automatic Withdrawal Plan.......................
Management Arrangements.........................
Dividend And Tax Information....................
Exchange Privilege..............................
General Information.............................
Application
AQUILA
[LOGO]
Tax-Free Fund
of
Colorado
A tax-free
income investment
[LOGO]
PROSPECTUS
One Of The
Aquilasm Group Of Funds
<page
Aquila
Tax-Free Fund of Colorado
380 Madison Avenue Suite 2300
New York, NY 10017
800-USA-COL2 (800-872-2652)
212-697-6666
Statement
of Additional
Information April 30, 1997
This Statement of Additional Information (the "Additional
Statement") is not a Prospectus. There are two Prospectuses for
the Fund dated April 30, 1997: one Prospectus describes Front
Payment Class Shares ("Class A Shares") and Level Payment Class
Shares ("Class C Shares") of the Fund and the other describes
Institutional Class Shares ("Class Y Shares") of the Fund.
References in the Additional Statement to "the Prospectus" refer
to either of these Prospectuses. The Additional Statement should
be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the class of
shares in which you are considering investing. Either or both
Prospectuses may be obtained from the Fund's Shareholder
Servicing Agent, Administrative Data Management Corp., by writing
to: 581 Main Street, Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095-1198 or by
calling at the following numbers:
800-872-2651 toll free or 908-855-5731
or from Aquila Distributors, Inc., the Fund's Distributor, by
writing to
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300, New York, New York 10017;
or by calling: 800-872-2652 toll free
or 212-697-6666
The Annual Report of the Fund for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 (audited) will be delivered with the Additional
Statement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Investment of the Fund's Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Municipal Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Investment Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Distribution Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Shareholder Services Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Limitation of Redemptions in Kind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Trustees and Officers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Additional Information as to Management Arrangements . . . . . 27
Computation of Net Asset Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Automatic Withdrawal Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Additional Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Conversion of Class C Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OF THE FUND'S ASSETS
The investment objective and policies of the Fund are
described in the Prospectus, which refers to the matters
described below. See the Prospectus for the definition of
"Colorado Obligations."
Ratings
The ratings assigned by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") represent
their respective opinions of the quality of the municipal bonds
and notes which they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized,
however, that ratings are general and not absolute standards of
quality. Consequently, obligations with the same maturity, stated
interest rate and rating may have different yields, while
obligations of the same maturity and stated interest rate with
different ratings may have the same yield. See Appendix A to this
Additional Statement for further information about the ratings of
Moody's and S&P as to the various rated Colorado Obligations
which the Fund may purchase.
The table below gives information as to the percentage of
Fund net assets invested, as of December 31, 1996, in Colorado
Obligations in the various rating categories:
Highest rating (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.7%
Second highest rating (2). . . . . . . . . . . . 21.5%
Third highest rating (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.5%
Fourth highest rating(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3%
Unrated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0
100.0%
(1) Aaa of Moody's or AAA of S&P (or other highest rating).
(2) Aa of Moody's or AA of S&P (or other second highest rating).
(3) A of Moody's or A of S&P (or other third highest rating).
(4) Baa of Moody's or BBB of S&P (or other fourth highest
rating).
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Obligations
The Fund may buy Colorado Obligations on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis. The purchase price and the interest rate
payable on the Colorado Obligations are fixed on the transaction
date. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase
Colorado Obligations on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis,
it will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value
each day of such Colorado Obligations in determining its net
asset value. The Fund will make commitments for such when-issued
transactions only when it has the intention of actually acquiring
the Colorado Obligations. The Fund places an amount of assets
equal in value to the amount due on the settlement date for the
when-issued or delayed delivery securities being purchased in a
segregated account with the Custodian, which is marked to market
every business day. On delivery dates for such transactions, the
Fund will meet its commitments by selling the Colorado
Obligations held in the separate account and/or from cash flow.
Determination of the Marketability of Certain Securities
In determining marketability of floating and variable rate
demand notes and participation interests (including municipal
lease/purchase obligations) the Board of Trustees will consider
the following factors, not all of which may be applicable to any
particular issue: the quality, maturity and coupon rate of the
issue, ratings received from the nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations and any changes or prospective
changes in such ratings, the likelihood that the issuer will
continue to appropriate the required payments for the issue,
recent purchases and sales of the same or similar issues, the
general market for municipal securities of the same or similar
quality, the Adviser's opinion as to marketability of the issue
and other factors that may be applicable to any particular issue.
Futures Contracts and Options
Although the Fund does not presently, and in fact may never,
do so, it is permitted to buy and sell Futures contracts relating
to municipal bond indices ("Municipal Bond Index Futures") and to
U.S. Government securities ("U.S. Government Securities Futures,"
together referred to as "Futures"), and exchange-traded options
based on Futures as a possible means to protect the asset value
of the Fund during periods of changing interest rates. The
following discussion is intended to explain briefly the workings
of Futures and options on them which would be applicable if the
Fund were to use them.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a Colorado
Obligation, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the
purchase or sale of a Future. Initially, however, when such
transactions are entered into, the Fund will be required to
deposit with the Futures commission merchant ("broker") an amount
of cash or Colorado Obligations equal to a varying specified
percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as
initial margin. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to
and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price
of the underlying index or security fluctuates making the Future
more or less valuable, a process known as marking to market.
Insolvency of the broker may make it more difficult to recover
initial or variation margin. Changes in variation margin are
recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Margin
deposits do not involve borrowing by the Fund and may not be used
to support any other transactions. At any time prior to
expiration of the Future, the Fund may elect to close the
position by taking an opposite position which will operate to
terminate the Fund's position in the Future. A final
determination of variation margin is then made. Additional cash
is required to be paid by or released to the Fund and it realizes
a gain or a loss. Although Futures by their terms call for the
actual delivery or acceptance of cash, in most cases the
contractual obligation is fulfilled without having to make or
take delivery. All transactions in the Futures markets are
subject to commissions payable by the Fund and are made, offset
or fulfilled through a clearing house associated with the
exchange on which the contracts are traded. Although the Fund
intends to buy and sell Futures only on an exchange where there
appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance
that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular
Future at any particular time. In such event, or in the event of
an equipment failure at a clearing house, it may not be possible
to close a Futures position.
Municipal Bond Index Futures currently are based on a
long-term municipal bond index developed by the Chicago Board of
Trade ("CBT") and The Bond Buyer (the "Municipal Bond Index").
Futures contracts based on the Municipal Bond Index began trading
on June 11, 1985. The Municipal Bond Index is comprised of 40
tax-exempt municipal revenue and general obligation bonds. Each
bond included in the Municipal Bond Index must be rated A or
higher by Moody's or S&P and must have a remaining maturity of 19
years or more. Twice a month new issues satisfying the
eligibility requirements are added to, and an equal number of old
issues are deleted from, the Municipal Bond Index. The value of
the Municipal Bond Index is computed daily according to a formula
based on the price of each bond in the Municipal Bond Index, as
evaluated by six dealer-to-dealer brokers.
The Municipal Bond Index Futures contract is traded only on
the CBT. Like other contract markets, the CBT assures performance
under Futures contracts through a clearing corporation, a
nonprofit organization managed by the exchange membership which
is also responsible for handling daily accounting of deposits or
withdrawals of margin.
There are at present U.S. Government Securities Futures
contracts based on long-term Treasury bonds, Treasury notes, GNMA
Certificates and three-month Treasury bills. U.S. Government
Securities Futures have traded longer than Municipal Bond Index
Futures, and the depth and liquidity available in the trading
markets for them are in general greater.
Call Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may also
purchase and sell exchange-related call and put options on
Futures. The purchase of a call option on a Future is analogous
to the purchase of a call option on an individual security.
Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the
Future upon which it is based, or upon the price of the
underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than
ownership of the Futures contract or underlying debt securities.
Like the purchase of a Futures contract, the Fund may purchase a
call option on a Future to hedge against a market advance when
the Fund is not fully invested.
The writing of a call option on a Future constitutes a
partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which
are deliverable upon exercise of the Future. If the price at
expiration of the Future is below the exercise price, the Fund
will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides
a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the
Fund's portfolio holdings.
Put Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of put
options on a Future is analogous to the purchase of protective
put options on portfolio securities. The Fund may purchase a put
option on a Future to hedge the Fund's portfolio against the risk
of rising interest rates.
The writing of a put option on a Future constitutes a
partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities which
are deliverable upon exercise of the Future. If the Future price
at expiration is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will
retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a
partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities
which the Fund intends to purchase.
The writer of an option on a Future is required to deposit
initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to
those applicable to Futures. Premiums received from the writing
of an option will be included in initial margin. The writing of
an option on a Future involves risks similar to those relating to
Futures.
Risk Factors in Futures Transactions and Options
One risk in employing Futures or options on them to attempt
to protect against the price volatility of the Fund's Colorado
Obligations is that the Adviser could be incorrect in its
expectations as to the extent of various interest rate movement
or the time span within which the movements take place. For
example, if the Fund sold a Future in anticipation of an increase
in interest rates, and then interest rates went down instead, the
Fund would lose money on the sale.
Another risk as to Futures or options on them arises because
of the imperfect correlation between movement in the price of the
Future and movements in the prices of the Colorado Obligations
which are the subject of the hedge. The risk of imperfect
correlation increases as the composition of the Fund's portfolio
diverges from the municipal bonds included in the applicable
index or from the security underlying the U.S. Government
Securities Futures. The price of the Future or option may move
more than or less than the price of the Colorado Obligations
being hedged. If the price of the Future or option moves less
than the price of the Colorado Obligations which are the subject
of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the
price of the Colorado Obligations being hedged has moved in an
unfavorable direction, the Fund would be in a better position
than if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the Colorado
Obligations being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this
advantage will be partially offset by the Future or option. If
the price of the Future or option has moved more than the price
of the Colorado Obligations, the Fund will experience either a
loss or gain on the Future or option which will not be completely
offset by movements in the price of the Colorado Obligations
which are the subject of the hedge. To compensate for the
imperfect correlation of movements in the price of the Colorado
Obligations being hedged and movements in the price of the
Futures or options, the Fund may buy or sell Futures or options
in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of the Colorado
Obligations being hedged if the historical volatility of the
prices of the Colorado Obligations being hedged is less than the
historical volatility of the debt securities underlying the
hedge. It is also possible that, where the Fund has sold Futures
or options to hedge its portfolio against decline in the market,
the market may advance and the value of the Colorado Obligations
held in the Fund's portfolio may decline. If this occurred the
Fund would lose money on the Future or option and also experience
a decline in value of its portfolio securities.
Where Futures or options are purchased to hedge against a
possible increase in the price of Colorado Obligations before the
Fund is able to invest in them in an orderly fashion, it is
possible that the market may decline instead; if the Fund then
concludes not to invest in them at that time because of concern
as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, the
Fund will realize a loss on the Futures or options that is not
offset by a reduction in the price of the Colorado Obligations
which it had anticipated purchasing.
The particular municipal bonds comprising the index
underlying Municipal Bond Index Futures will vary from the bonds
held by the Fund. The correlation of the hedge with such bonds
may be affected by disparities in the average maturity, ratings,
geographical mix or structure of the Fund's investments as
compared to those comprising the Index, and general economic or
political factors. In addition, the correlation between movements
in the value of the Municipal Bond Index may be subject to change
over time, as additions to and deletions from the Municipal Bond
Index alter its structure. The correlation between U.S.
Government Securities Futures and the municipal bonds held by the
Fund may be adversely affected by similar factors and the risk of
imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of such
Futures and the prices of Municipal Bonds held by the Fund may be
greater.
Trading in Municipal Bond Index Futures may be less liquid
than that in other Futures. The trading of Futures and options is
also subject to certain market risks, such as inadequate trading
activity and limits on upward or downward price movement which
could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate
existing positions.
Regulatory Aspects of Futures and Options
The Fund will, due to requirements under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), deposit in a segregated
account with its custodian bank liquid Colorado Obligations or
cash, in an amount equal to the fluctuating market value of long
Futures or options it has purchased, less any margin deposited on
long positions.
The Fund must operate as to its long and short positions in
Futures under in conformity with a rule (the "CFTC Rule") adopted
by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") under the
Commodity Exchange Act (the "CEA") to be eligible for the
exclusion provided by the CFTC Rule as a "commodity pool
operator" (as defined under the CEA). Pursuant to the rule, the
Fund will represent to the CFTC that it will not, as to any
positions, whether long, short or a combination thereof, enter
into Futures or options for which the aggregate initial margins
and premiums paid for options exceed 5% of the fair market value
of its assets. The Fund will also represent that as to its short
positions, it will use Futures and options solely for bona-fide
hedging purposes within the meaning and intent of the applicable
provisions under the CEA. As to the Fund's long positions which
are used as part of its portfolio strategy and are incidental to
its activities in the underlying cash market, the "underlying
commodity value" (see below) of its Futures must not exceed the
sum of (i) cash set aside in an identifiable manner, or
short-term U.S. debt obligations or other U.S. dollar-denominated
high quality short-term money market instruments so set aside,
plus any funds deposited as margin; (ii) cash proceeds from
existing investments due in 30 days and (iii) accrued profits
held at the futures commission merchant. (There is described
above the segregated account which the Fund must maintain with
its custodian bank as to its Futures and options activities due
to requirements other than those of the CFTC Rule; the Fund will,
as to long positions, be required to abide by the more
restrictive of this other requirement or the above requirements
of the CFTC Rule.) The "underlying commodity value" of a Future
or option is computed by multiplying the size of the Future by
the daily settlement price of the Future or option.
The "sale" of a Future means the acquisition by the Fund of
an obligation to deliver an amount of cash equal to a specified
dollar amount times the difference between the value of the index
or government security at the close of the last trading day of
the Future and the price at which the Future is originally struck
(which the Fund anticipates will be lower because of a subsequent
rise in interest rates and a corresponding decline in the index
value). This is referred to as having a "short" Futures position.
The "purchase" of a Future means the acquisition by the Fund of a
right to take delivery of such an amount of cash. In this case,
the Fund anticipates that the closing value will be higher than
the price at which the Future is originally struck. This is
referred to as having a "long" Futures position. No physical
delivery of the bonds making up the index or the U.S. government
securities, as the case may be, is made as to either a long or a
short Futures position.
Portfolio Turnover
A portfolio turnover rate is, in general, the percentage
computed by taking the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio
securities for a year and dividing it by the monthly average
value of such securities during the year, excluding certain
short-term securities. Since the turnover rate of the Fund will
be affected by a number of factors, the Fund is unable to predict
what rate the Fund will have in any particular period or periods,
although such rate is not expected to exceed 100%. However, the
rate could be substantially higher or lower in any particular
period.
MUNICIPAL BONDS
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are
"general obligation" bonds and "revenue" bonds. General
obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full
faith, credit and unlimited taxing power for the payment of
principal and interest. Revenue or special tax bonds are payable
only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or
class of facilities or projects or, in a few cases, from the
proceeds of a special excise or other tax, but are not supported
by the issuer's power to levy unlimited general taxes. There are,
of course, variations in the security of municipal bonds, both
within a particular classification and between classifications,
depending on numerous factors.
The yields of municipal bonds depend on, among other things,
general financial conditions, general conditions of the municipal
bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of
the obligation and rating of the issue.
Since the Fund may invest in industrial development bonds or
private activity bonds, the Fund may not be an appropriate
investment for entities which are "substantial users" of
facilities financed by those bonds or for investors who are
"related persons" of such users. Generally, an individual will
not be a "related person" under the Internal Revenue Code unless
such investor or his or her immediate family (spouse, brothers,
sisters and lineal descendants) own directly or indirectly in the
aggregate more than 50 percent of the equity of a corporation or
is a partner of a partnership which is a "substantial user" of a
facility financed from the proceeds of those bonds. A
"substantial user" of such facilities is defined generally as a
"non-exempt person who regularly uses a part of [a] facility"
financed from the proceeds of industrial development or private
activity bonds.
As indicated in the Prospectus, there are certain Colorado
Obligations the interest on which is subject to the Federal
alternative minimum tax on individuals. While the Fund may
purchase these obligations, it may, on the other hand, refrain
from purchasing particular Colorado Obligations due to this tax
consequence. Also, as indicated in the Prospectus, the Fund will
not purchase obligations of Colorado issuers the interest on
which is subject to regular Federal income tax. The foregoing may
reduce the number of issuers of obligations which are available
to the Fund.
Additional Information Regarding a Colorado Constitutional
Provision
The following information is derived from sources that are
generally available to investors and is believed by the Fund to
be accurate, but has not been independently verified and may not
be complete.
General Description. At the November 3, 1992 general
election, Colorado voters approved an amendment to the Colorado
Constitution, which is commonly referred to as Amendment 1 and
now constitutes Section 20 of Article X of the Colorado
Constitution ("Amendment 1"). Amendment 1 imposes various limits
and new requirements on the State of Colorado and other Colorado
local governments (each of which is referred to in this section
as a "governmental unit"). Any of the following actions, for
example, now requires prior voter approval: (1) any increase in a
governmental unit's spending from one year to the next in excess
of the rate of inflation plus a "growth factor" based on: (A) for
school districts, the percentage change in the school district's
student enrollment, (B) for the state, the percentage change in
state population, and (C) for other governmental units, the net
percentage change in actual value of all real property in the
governmental unit from construction of taxable real property
improvements, minus destruction of similar improvements, and
additions to, minus deletions from, taxable real property; (2)
any increase in the real property tax revenues of a local
governmental unit (not including the state) from one year to the
next in excess of inflation plus the appropriate "growth factor"
referred to in clause (1) above; (3) any new tax, tax rate
increase, mill levy increase, valuation for assessment ratio
increase for a property class, extension of an expiring tax or a
tax policy change directly causing a net tax revenue gain; and
(4) except for refinancing bonded indebtedness at a lower
interest rate or adding new employees to existing pension plans,
creation of any multiple-fiscal year direct or indirect debt or
other financial obligation whatsoever without adequate present
cash reserves pledged irrevocably and held for payments in all
future fiscal years. Elections on such matters may only be held
on the same day as a state general election, at the governmental
unit's regular biennial election or on the first Tuesday in
November of odd-numbered years, and must be conducted in
accordance with procedures described in Amendment 1.
Amendment 1 also requires that revenue collected, kept or
spent in violation of its provisions be refunded, with interest,
and requires each governmental unit to have created an emergency
reserve of 1% of its fiscal year spending in 1993, increasing to
2% in 1994 and 3% in 1995 and subsequent years. The last sentence
of paragraph (1) of Amendment 1 provides that "[w]hen [a
governmental unit's] annual...revenue is less than annual
payments on general obligation bonds, pensions, and final court
judgments, [the voter approval requirement for mill levy and
other tax increases referred to in clause (3) of the preceding
paragraph and the voter approval requirement for spending and
real property tax revenue increases referred to in clauses (1)
and (2) of the preceding paragraph] shall be suspended to provide
for the deficiency." The second sentence of paragraph (1) of
Amendment 1 provides that the "preferred interpretation [of
Amendment 1] shall reasonably restrain most the growth of
government."
Court Interpretations. Many of the provisions of Amendment 1
are ambiguous, are the subject of much debate and likely will not
be clarified until courts rule on their meanings. In September,
1994, the Supreme Court of Colorado ruled that (i) the ballot
questions, authorizing issuance of bonds and the related increase
in taxes to pay such bonds in a single ballot question, did not
violate the provisions of the Amendment and (ii) in approving the
ballot questions the related electorates authorized the adjusting
of the tax rates as necessary to repay the specific debt incurred
pursuant to the ballot questions (e.g. authorized mill levy rate
increases in response to declines in assessed value of property),
provided that the tax rate increases are consistent with the
stated estimate of the final fiscal year dollar amount of the tax
increase set forth in the ballot questions. Although this ruling
has been seen as meaning that general obligation bonds continue
to exist in Colorado and that it is not necessary to have a
separate vote on bonds and taxes to pay for the bonds, in
January, 1995, the plaintiffs applied to the United States
Supreme court for a writ of certiorari. It is not possible to
predict whether the Supreme Court will grant the writ or if it
takes jurisdiction of the case what further rulings the Supreme
Court would make, or what course further proceedings in the case
might take.
There are a number of other lawsuits pending regarding
Amendment 1. The "Littleton Public Schools case" was filed on
January 25, 1993 in Arapahoe County District Court (Case No.
93-CV-185) by three taxpayers against Arapahoe County School
District Number Six, a/k/a/ Littleton Public Schools, challenging
increases in the school district's mill levy for, among other
things, increased debt service on general obligation bonds that
were outstanding prior to the adoption of Amendment 1. After a
trial to the court, the judge ruled that the school district had
received the "prior voter approval" for an increase in its mill
levy to pay general obligation bonds at the time when the bonds
were originally approved by the voters and, thus, upheld the
school district's increased mill levy imposed after the passage
of Amendment 1. The plaintiff taxpayers have appealed the
decision of the judge. The issues in the other lawsuits relate to
the conduct of elections, the wording of ballot issues and
election notices, the interpretation of the definitions of
"district" and "enterprise" in Amendment 1, whether the
remarketing of debt constitutes "creation" of debt, and the
compliance with rate covenants that may conflict with the revenue
and spending limits of Amendment 1. Other lawsuits regarding
Amendment 1 may be filed in the future. It is not possible to
predict when final decisions in any of the pending actions or any
future actions regarding Amendment 1 will be issued.
PERFORMANCE
As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund may from time to time
quote various performance figures to illustrate its past
performance.
Performance quotations by investment companies are subject
to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These
rules require the use of standardized performance quotations or,
alternatively, that every non-standardized performance quotation
furnished by the Fund be accompanied by certain standardized
performance information computed as required by the SEC. Current
yield and average annual compounded total return quotations used
by the Fund are based on these standardized methods and are
computed separately for each of the Fund's three classes of
shares. Prior to April 30, 1996, the Fund had outstanding only
one class of shares which are currently designated "Class A
Shares." On that date the Fund began to offer shares of two other
classes, Class C Shares and Class Y Shares. During most of the
historical periods listed below, there were no Class C Shares or
Class Y Shares outstanding and the information below relates
solely to Class A Shares unless otherwise indicated. Each of
these and other methods that may be used by the Fund are
described in the following material.
Total Return
Average annual total return is determined by finding the
average annual compounded rates of return over 1- and 5-year
periods and a period since the inception of the operations of the
Fund (on May 21, 1987) that would equate an initial hypothetical
$1,000 investment to the value such an investment would have if
it were completely redeemed at the end of each such period.
In the case of Class A Shares, the calculation assumes the
maximum sales charge is deducted from the hypothetical initial
$1,000 purchase. In the case of Class C Shares, the calculation
assumes the applicable Conditional Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC")
imposed on a redemption of Class C Shares held for the period is
deducted. In the case of Class Y Shares, the calculation assumes
that no sales charge is deducted and no CDSC is imposed. For all
three classes, it is assumed that on each reinvestment date
during each such period any capital gains are reinvested at net
asset value, and all income dividends are reinvested at net asset
value, without sales charge (because the Fund does not impose any
sales charge on reinvestment of dividends for any class). The
computation further assumes that the entire hypothetical account
was completely redeemed at the end of each such period.
Investors should note that the maximum sales charge (4%)
reflected in the following quotations for Class A Shares is a one
time charge, paid at the time of initial investment. The greatest
impact of this charge is during the early stages of an investment
in the Fund. Actual performance will be affected less by this one
time charge the longer an investment remains in the Fund. Sales
charges at the time of purchase are payable only on purchases of
Class A Shares of the Fund.
Average Annual Compounded Rates of Return:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Class C Shares Class Y Shares
<S> <C> <C> <C>
One Year 0.36% N/A(1) N/A(1)
Five Years 5.36% N/A N/A
Since
inception on
May 21, 1987 6.76% 2.75%(2) 5.98%(2)
<FN>
(1) During these periods no Class C Shares or Class Y Shares were
outstanding.
</FN>
<FN>
(2) Period from April 30, 1996 (inception of class) through
December 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>
These figures were calculated according to the following SEC
formula:
n
P(1+T) =ERV
where
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the 1- and 5-year
periods or the period since inception, at the end
of each such period.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may quote total
rates of return in addition to its average annual total return.
Such quotations are computed in the same manner as the Fund's
average annual compounded rate, except that such quotations will
be based on the Fund's actual return for a specified period as
opposed to its average return over the periods described above.
Total Return
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Class C Shares Class Y Shares
<S> <C> <C> <C>
One Year (0.36%) ***(1) ***(1)
Five Years 31.5% N/A N/A
<FN>
(1) During these periods no Class C Shares or Class Y Shares were
outstanding.
</FN>
<FN>
(2) Period from April 30, 1996 (inception of class) through
December 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>
In general, actual total rate of return will be lower than
average annual rate of return because the average annual rate of
return reflects the effect of compounding. See discussion of the
impact of the sales charge on quotations of rates of return,
above.
Yield
Current yield reflects the income per share earned by the
Fund's portfolio investments. Current yield is determined by
dividing the net investment income per share earned for each of
the Fund's three classes during a 30-day base period by the
maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period
and annualizing the result. Expenses accrued for the period
include any fees charged to all shareholders of each class during
the base period net of fee waivers and reimbursements of
expenses, if any.
The Fund may also quote a taxable equivalent yield for each
of its three classes of shares which shows the taxable yield that
would be required to produce an after-tax yield equivalent to
that of a fund which invests in tax-exempt obligations. Such
yield is computed by dividing that portion of the yield of the
Fund (computed as indicated above) which is tax-exempt by one
minus the highest applicable combined federal and Colorado income
tax rate (and adding the result to that portion of the yield of
the Fund that is not tax-exempt, if any).
The Colorado and the combined Colorado and federal income
tax rates upon which the Fund's tax equivalent yield quotations
are based are 5.0% and 43.75% respectively. The latter rate
reflects currently-enacted Federal income tax law. From time to
time, as any changes to such rates become effective, tax
equivalent yield quotations advertised by the Fund will be
updated to reflect such changes. Any tax rate increases will tend
to make a tax-free investment, such as the Fund, relatively more
attractive than taxable investments. Therefore, the details of
specific tax increases may be used in Fund sales material.
Yield for the 30-day period ended December 31, 1996 (the
date of the Fund's most recent audited financial statements):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Class C Shares Class Y Shares
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Yield 4.05% 3.85% 7.04%
Taxable
Equivalent
Yield 7.13% 6.18 12.40
</TABLE>
These figures were obtained using the Securities and
Exchange Commission formula:
6
Yield = 2 [(a-b + 1) -1]
----
cd
where:
a = interest earned during the period
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of waivers and
reimbursements)
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during
the period that were entitled to receive dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of
the period
Current Distribution Rate
Current yield and tax equivalent yield, which are calculated
according to a formula prescribed by the SEC, are not indicative
of the amounts which were or will be paid to the Fund's
shareholders. Amounts paid to shareholders are reflected in the
quoted current distribution rate or taxable equivalent
distribution rate. The current distribution rate is computed by
(i) dividing the total amount of dividends per share paid by the
Fund during a recent 30-day period by (ii) the current maximum
offering price and by (iii) annualizing the result. A taxable
equivalent distribution rate shows the taxable distribution rate
that would be required to produce an after-tax distribution rate
equivalent to the Fund's current distribution rate (calculated as
indicated above). The current distribution rate can differ from
the current yield computation because it could include
distributions to shareholders from additional sources (i.e.,
sources other than dividends and interest), such as short-term
capital gains.
Other Performance Quotations
With respect to those categories of investors who are
permitted to purchase Class A Shares of the Fund at net asset
value, the Fund may quote a "Current Distribution for Net Asset
Value Investments." This rate is computed by (i) dividing the
total amount of dividends per share paid by the Fund during a
recent 30-day period by (ii) the current net asset value of the
Fund and by (iii) annualizing the result. Figures for yield,
total return and other measures of performance for Net Asset
Value Investments may also be quoted. These will be derived as
described above with the substitution of net asset value for
public offering price.
Regardless of the method used, past performance is not
necessarily indicative of future results, but is an indication of
the return to shareholders only for the limited historical period
used. If distribution rates are quoted in advertising, they will
be accompanied by calculations of current yield in accordance
with the formula of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Fund may include in advertisements and sales literature,
information, examples and statistics that illustrate the effect
of taxable versus tax-free compounding income at a fixed rate of
return to demonstrate the growth of an investment over a stated
period of time resulting from the payment of dividends and
capital gains distributions in additional shares. The examples
used will be for illustrative purposes only and are not
representations by the Fund of past or future yield or return.
From time to time, in reports and promotional literature,
the Fund may compare its performance to, or cite the historical
performance of, U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, or indices
of broad groups of unmanaged securities considered to be
representative of, or similar to, that Fund's portfolio holdings,
such as:
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper") is a
widely-recognized independent service that monitors and ranks the
performance of regulated investment companies. The Lipper
performance analysis includes the reinvestment of capital gain
distributions and income dividends but does not take sales
charges into consideration. The method of calculating total
return data on indices utilizes actual dividends on ex-dividend
dates accumulated for the quarter and reinvested at quarter end.
Morningstar Mutual Funds ("Morningstar"), a semi-monthly
publication of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar proprietary ratings
reflect historical risk-adjusted performance and are subject to
change every month. Funds with at least three years of
performance history are assigned ratings from one star (lowest)
to five stars (highest). Morningstar ratings are calculated from
the funds' three-, five-, and ten-year average annual returns
(when available) and a risk factor that reflects fund performance
relative to three-month Treasury bill monthly returns. Fund's
returns are adjusted for fees and sales loads. Ten percent of the
funds in an investment category receive five stars, 22.5% receive
four stars, 35% receive three stars, 22.5% receive two stars, and
the bottom 10% receive one star.
Salomon Brothers Inc., "Market Performance," a monthly
publication which tracks principal return, total return and yield
on the Salomon Brothers Broad Investment-Grade Bond Index and the
components of the Index.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., "Taxable Bond
Indices," a monthly corporate government index publication which
lists principal, coupon and total return on over 100 different
taxable bond indices which Merrill Lynch tracks. They also list
the par weighted characteristics of each Index.
Lehman Brothers, Inc., "The Bond Market Report," a monthly
publication which tracks principal, coupon and total return on
the Lehman Govt./Corp. Index and Lehman Aggregate Bond Index, as
well as all the components of these Indices.
The Consumer Price Index, prepared by the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, is a commonly used measure of inflation. The
Index shows changes in the cost of selected consumer goods and
does not represent a return on an investment vehicle.
From time to time, in reports and promotional literature,
performance rankings and ratings reported periodically in
national financial publications such as MONEY, FORBES, BUSINESS
WEEK, BARRON'S, FINANCIAL TIMES and FORTUNE may also be used. In
addition, quotations from articles and performance ratings and
ratings appearing in daily newspaper publications such as THE
WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES and NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
may be cited.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has a number of policies concerning what it can and
cannot do. Those that are called fundamental policies cannot be
changed unless the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding shares vote to change them.
Under the 1940 Act, the vote of the holders of a "majority" of
the Fund's outstanding shares means the vote of the holders of
the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the Fund's shares present at a
meeting or represented by proxy if the holders of more than 50%
of its shares are so present or represented; or (b) more than 50%
of the Fund's outstanding shares. Those fundamental policies not
set forth in the Prospectus are set forth below:
1. The Fund invests only in certain limited securities.
The Fund cannot buy any securities other than Colorado
Obligations (discussed under "Investment of the Fund's Assets" in
the Prospectus), Municipal Bond Index Futures, U.S. Government
Securities Futures and options on Futures; therefore the Fund
cannot buy any voting securities, any commodities or commodity
contracts other than Municipal Bond Index Futures and U.S.
Government Securities Futures, any mineral related programs or
leases, any shares of other investment companies or any warrants,
puts, calls or combinations thereof other than on Futures.
The Fund cannot buy real estate or any non-liquid interests
in real estate investment trusts; however, it can buy any
securities which it can otherwise buy even though the issuer
invests in real estate or has interests in real estate.
2. The Fund does not buy for control.
The Fund cannot invest for the purpose of exercising control
or management of other companies.
3. The Fund does not sell securities it does not own or borrow
from brokers to buy securities.
Thus, it cannot sell short or buy on margin; however, the
Fund can make margin deposits in connection with the purchase or
sale of Municipal Bond Index Futures, U.S. Government Securities
Futures and options on them, and can pay premiums on these
options.
4. The Fund is not an underwriter.
The Fund cannot engage in the underwriting of securities,
that is, the selling of securities for others. Also, it cannot
invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are
securities which cannot freely be sold for legal reasons.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund's Distribution Plan has three parts, relating
respectively to distribution payments with respect to Class A
Shares (Part I), to distribution payments relating to Class C
Shares (Part II) and to certain defensive provisions (Part III).
Provisions Relating to Class A Shares (Part I)
At the date of the Additional Statement, most of the
outstanding shares of the Fund would be considered Qualified
Holdings of various broker-dealers unaffiliated with the Adviser
or the Distributor. The Distributor will consider shares which
are not Qualified Holdings of such unrelated broker-dealers to be
Qualified Holdings of the Distributor and will authorize
Permitted Payments to the Distributor with respect to such shares
whenever Permitted Payments are being made under the Plan.
Part I of the Plan applies only to the Front-Payment Class
Shares ("Class A Shares") of the Fund (regardless of whether such
class is so designated or is redesignated by some other name).
As used in Part I of the Plan, "Qualified Recipients" shall
mean broker-dealers or others selected by Aquila Distributors,
Inc. (the "Distributor"), including but not limited to any
principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Fund or the
Distributor has entered into written agreements in connection
with Part I ("Class A Plan Agreements") and which have rendered
assistance (whether direct, administrative, or both) in the
distribution and/or retention of the Fund's Front-Payment Class
Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts with respect to such
shares. "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Qualified
Recipient, all Front-Payment Class Shares beneficially owned by
such Qualified Recipient, or beneficially owned by its brokerage
customers, other customers, other contacts, investment advisory
clients, or other clients, if the Qualified Recipient was, in the
sole judgment of the Distributor, instrumental in the purchase
and/or retention of such shares and/or in providing
administrative assistance or other services in relation thereto.
At the date of this Additional Statement, subject to the
direction and control of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Fund
may make payments ("Class A Permitted Payments") to Qualified
Recipients, which Class A Permitted Payments may be made
directly, or through the Distributor or shareholder servicing
agent as disbursing agent, which may not exceed, for any fiscal
year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal
year during which payments under the Plan are not accruable or
for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), 0.05 of 1%
of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by the
Front-Payment Class Shares up to $250 million and 0.15 of 1% of
such net assets above $250 million. Such payments shall be made
only out of the Fund's assets allocable to the Front-Payment
Class Shares. The Distributor shall have sole authority (i) as to
the selection of any Qualified Recipient or Recipients; (ii) not
to select any Qualified Recipient; and (iii) the amount of Class
A Permitted Payments, if any, to each Qualified Recipient
provided that the total Class A Permitted Payments to all
Qualified Recipients do not exceed the amount set forth above.
The Distributor is authorized, but not directed, to take into
account, in addition to any other factors deemed relevant by it,
the following: (a) the amount of the Qualified Holdings of the
Qualified Recipient; (b) the extent to which the Qualified
Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps in the shareholder
servicing area with respect to holders of Front-Payment Class
Shares, including without limitation, any or all of the following
activities: answering customer inquiries regarding account status
and history, and the manner in which purchases and redemptions of
shares of the Fund may be effected; assisting shareholders in
designating and changing dividend options, account designations
and addresses; providing necessary personnel and facilities to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records;
assisting in processing purchase and redemption transactions;
arranging for the wiring of funds; transmitting and receiving
funds in connection with customer orders to purchase or redeem
shares; verifying and guaranteeing shareholder signatures in
connection with redemption orders and transfers and changes in
shareholder designated accounts; furnishing (either alone or
together with other reports sent to a shareholder by such person)
monthly and year-end statements and confirmations of purchases
and redemptions; transmitting, on behalf of the Fund, proxy
statements, annual reports, updating prospectuses and other
communications from the Fund to its shareholders; receiving,
tabulating and transmitting to the Fund proxies executed by
shareholders with respect to meetings of shareholders of the
Fund; and providing such other related services as the
Distributor or a shareholder may request from time to time; and
(c) the possibility that the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified
Recipient would be redeemed in the absence of its selection or
continuance as a Qualified Recipient. Notwithstanding the
foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees
(as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified
Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified
Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid
thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all
Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to
subsequent years. As noted in the Prospectus, the shareholders of
the Fund have approved a change in the Distribution Plan that
would allow the above payments at the annual rate of 0.15 of 1%
of all of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented
by the Front- Payment Shares class of shares. Implementation of
this change, which was to have taken place on October 1, 1996,
has been indefinitely postponed. When and if it is determined to
implement the change the Additional Statement will be
supplemented.
While Part I is in effect, the Fund's Distributor shall
report at least quarterly to the Fund's Trustees in writing for
their review on the following matters: (i) all Class A Permitted
Payments made under Section 9 of the Plan, the identity of the
Qualified Recipient of each payment, and the purposes for which
the amounts were expended; and (ii) all fees of the Fund to the
Distributor, sub-adviser or Administrator paid or accrued during
such quarter. In addition, if any such Qualified Recipient is an
affiliated person, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of
the Fund, the Adviser, the Administrator or the Distributor, such
person shall agree to furnish to the Distributor for transmission
to the Board of Trustees of the Fund an accounting, in form and
detail satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, to enable the Board
of Trustees to make the determinations of the fairness of the
compensation paid to such affiliated person, not less often than
annually.
Part I originally went into effect when it was approved (i)
by a vote of the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees,
with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on Part I of the Plan; and (ii) by a vote of holders of at
least a "majority" (as so defined) of the outstanding voting
securities of the Front-Payment Class Shares (or of any
predecessor class or category of shares, whether or not
designated as a class) and a vote of holders of at least a
"majority" (as so defined) of the outstanding voting securities
of the Level-Payment Class Shares and/or of any other class whose
shares are convertible into Front-Payment Class Shares. Part I
has continued, and will, unless terminated as therein provided,
continue in effect, until the June 30 next succeeding such
effectiveness, and from year to year thereafter only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
the Fund's Trustees and its Independent Trustees with votes cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
continuance. Part I may be terminated at any time by the vote of
a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which Part I
applies. Part I may not be amended to increase materially the
amount of payments to be made without shareholder approval of the
class or classes of shares affected by Part I as set forth in
(ii) above, and all amendments must be approved in the manner set
forth in (i) above.
In the case of a Qualified Recipient which is a principal
underwriter of the Fund, the Class A Plan Agreement shall be the
agreement contemplated by Section 15(b) of the 1940 Act since
each such agreement must be approved in accordance with, and
contain the provisions required by, the Rule. In the case of
Qualified Recipients which are not principal underwriters of the
Fund, the Class A Plan Agreements with them shall be (i) their
agreements with the Distributor with respect to payments under
the Fund's Distribution Plan in effect prior to April 1, 1996 or
(ii) Class A Plan Agreements entered into thereafter.
Provisions relating to Class C Shares (Part II)
Part II of the Plan applies only to the Level-Payment Shares
Class ("Class C Shares") of the Fund (regardless of whether such
class is so designated or is redesignated by some other name).
As used in Part II of the Plan, "Qualified Recipients" shall
mean broker-dealers or others selected by Aquila Distributors,
Inc. (the "Distributor"), including but not limited to any
principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Fund or the
Distributor has entered into written agreements in connection
with Part II ("Class C Plan Agreements") and which have rendered
assistance (whether direct, administrative, or both) in the
distribution and/or retention of the Fund's Level-Payment Class
Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts with respect to such
shares. "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Qualified
Recipient, all Level-Payment Class Shares beneficially owned by
such Qualified Recipient, or beneficially owned by its brokerage
customers, other customers, other contacts, investment advisory
clients, or other clients, if the Qualified Recipient was, in the
sole judgment of the Distributor, instrumental in the purchase
and/or retention of such shares and/or in providing
administrative assistance or other services in relation thereto.
Subject to the direction and control of the Fund's Board of
Trustees, the Fund may make payments ("Class C Permitted
Payments") to Qualified Recipients, which Class C Permitted
Payments may be made directly, or through the Distributor or
shareholder servicing agent as disbursing agent, which may not
exceed, for any fiscal year of the Fund (as adjusted for any part
or parts of a fiscal year during which payments under the Plan
are not accruable or for any fiscal year which is not a full
fiscal year), 0.75 of 1% of the average annual net assets of the
Fund represented by the Level-Payment Class Shares. Such payments
shall be made only out of the Fund's assets allocable to the
Level-Payment Class Shares. The Distributor shall have sole
authority (i) as to the selection of any Qualified Recipient or
Recipients; (ii) not to select any Qualified Recipient; and (iii)
the amount of Class C Permitted Payments, if any, to each
Qualified Recipient provided that the total Class C Permitted
Payments to all Qualified Recipients do not exceed the amount set
forth above. The Distributor is authorized, but not directed, to
take into account, in addition to any other factors deemed
relevant by it, the following: (a) the amount of the Qualified
Holdings of the Qualified Recipient; (b) the extent to which the
Qualified Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps in the
shareholder servicing area with respect to holders of
Level-Payment Shares, including without limitation, any or all of
the following activities: answering customer inquiries regarding
account status and history, and the manner in which purchases and
redemptions of shares of the Fund may be effected; assisting
shareholders in designating and changing dividend options,
account designations and addresses; providing necessary personnel
and facilities to establish and maintain shareholder accounts and
records; assisting in processing purchase and redemption
transactions; arranging for the wiring of funds; transmitting and
receiving funds in connection with customer orders to purchase or
redeem shares; verifying and guaranteeing shareholder signatures
in connection with redemption orders and transfers and changes in
shareholder designated accounts; furnishing (either alone or
together with other reports sent to a shareholder by such person)
monthly and year-end statements and confirmations of purchases
and redemptions; transmitting, on behalf of the Fund, proxy
statements, annual reports, updating prospectuses and other
communications from the Fund to its shareholders; receiving,
tabulating and transmitting to the Fund proxies executed by
shareholders with respect to meetings of shareholders of the
Fund; and providing such other related services as the
Distributor or a shareholder may request from time to time; and
(c) the possibility that the Qualified Holdings of the Qualified
Recipient would be redeemed in the absence of its selection or
continuance as a Qualified Recipient. Notwithstanding the
foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees
(as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified
Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified
Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid
thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all
Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to
subsequent years.
While Part II is in effect, the Fund's Distributor shall
report at least quarterly to the Fund's Trustees in writing for
their review on the following matters: (i) all Class C Permitted
Payments made under the Plan, the identity of the Qualified
Recipient of each payment, and the purposes for which the amounts
were expended; and (ii) all fees of the Fund to the Distributor,
sub-adviser or Administrator paid or accrued during such quarter.
In addition, if any such Qualified Recipient is an affiliated
person, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund, the
Adviser, the Administrator or the Distributor, such person shall
agree to furnish to the Distributor for transmission to the Board
of Trustees of the Fund an accounting, in form and detail
satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, to enable the Board of
Trustees to make the determinations of the fairness of the
compensation paid to such affiliated person, not less often than
annually.
Part II originally went into effect when it was approved (i)
by a vote of the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees,
with votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on Part II of the Plan; and (ii) by a vote of holders of
at least a "majority" (as so defined) of the outstanding voting
securities of the Level-Payment Class Shares. Part II has
continued, and will, unless terminated as therein provided,
continue in effect, until the April 30 next succeeding such
effectiveness, and from year to year thereafter only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
the Fund's Trustees and its Independent Trustees with votes cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
continuance. Part II may be terminated at any time by the vote of
a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which Part II
applies. Part II may not be amended to increase materially the
amount of payments to be made without shareholder approval of the
class or classes of shares affected by Part II as set forth in
(ii) above, and all amendments must be approved in the manner set
forth in (i) above.
In the case of a Qualified Recipient which is a principal
underwriter of the Fund, the Class C Plan Agreement shall be the
agreement contemplated by Section 15(b) of the 1940 Act since
each such agreement must be approved in accordance with, and
contain the provisions required by, the Rule. In the case of
Qualified Recipients which are not principal underwriters of the
Fund, the Class C Plan Agreements with them shall be (i) their
agreements with the Distributor with respect to payments under
the Fund's Distribution Plan in effect prior to April 30, 1996 or
(ii) Class C Plan Agreements entered into thereafter.
Defensive Provisions (Part III)
Another part of the Plan (Part III) states that if and to
the extent that any of the payments listed below are considered
to be "primarily intended to result in the sale of" shares issued
by the Fund within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, such payments are
authorized under the Plan: (i) the costs of the preparation of
all reports and notices to shareholders and the costs of printing
and mailing such reports and notices to existing shareholders,
irrespective of whether such reports or notices contain or are
accompanied by material intended to result in the sale of shares
of the Fund or other funds or other investments; (ii) the costs
of the preparation and setting in type of all prospectuses and
statements of additional information and the costs of printing
and mailing all prospectuses and statements of additional
information to existing shareholders; (iii) the costs of
preparation, printing and mailing of any proxy statements and
proxies, irrespective of whether any such proxy statement
includes any item relating to, or directed toward, the sale of
the Fund's shares; (iv) all legal and accounting fees relating to
the preparation of any such reports, prospectuses, statements of
additional information, proxies and proxy statements; (v) all
fees and expenses relating to the registration or qualification
of the Fund and/or its shares under the securities or "Blue-Sky"
laws of any jurisdiction; (vi) all fees under the Securities Act
of 1933 and the 1940 Act, including fees in connection with any
application for exemption relating to or directed toward the sale
of the Fund's shares; (vii) all fees and assessments of the
Investment Company Institute or any successor organization,
irrespective of whether some of its activities are designed to
provide sales assistance; (viii) all costs of the preparation and
mailing of confirmations of shares sold or redeemed or share
certificates, and reports of share balances; and (ix) all costs
of responding to telephone or mail inquiries of investors or
prospective investors.
The Plan states that while it is in effect, the selection
and nomination of those Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund shall be committed to the
discretion of such disinterested Trustees but that nothing in the
Plan shall prevent the involvement of others in such selection
and nomination if the final decision on any such selection and
nomination is approved by a majority of such disinterested
Trustees.
The Plan states that while it is in effect, the Fund's
Administrator and Distributor shall report at least quarterly to
the Fund's Board of Trustees in writing for their review on the
following matters: (i) all Permitted Payments made under this
Plan, the identity of the Qualified Recipient of each Payment,
and the purposes for which the amounts were expended; (ii) all
costs of each item of cost specified in the Plan (making
estimates of such costs where necessary or desirable) during the
preceding calendar or fiscal quarter; and (iii) all fees of the
Fund to the distributor, sub-adviser or administrator paid or
accrued during such quarter. In addition if any such Qualified
Recipient is an affiliate, as that term is defined in the 1940
Act, of the Fund, the Adviser, the Administrator or the
Distributor, such person shall agree to furnish to the
Distributor for transmission to the Board of Trustees of the Fund
an accounting, in form and detail satisfactory to the Board of
Trustees, to enable the Board of Trustees to make the
determinations of the fairness of the compensation paid to such
affiliated person, not less often than annually.
The Plan defines as the Fund's Independent Trustees those
Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund as defined
in the 1940 Act and who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements
related to the Plan. The Plan, unless terminated as hereinafter
provided, continues in effect from year to year only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
the Fund's Board of Trustees and its Independent Trustees with
votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such continuance. In voting on the implementation or
continuance of the Plan, those Trustees who vote to approve such
implementation or continuance must conclude that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its
shareholders. The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Plan may not be
amended to increase materially the amount of payments to be made
without shareholder approval and all amendments must be approved
in the manner set forth above as to continuance of the Plan.
The Plan and each Part of it shall also be subject to all
applicable terms and conditions of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act
as now in force or hereafter amended. Specifically, but without
limitation, the provisions of Part III shall be deemed to be
severable, within the meaning of and to the extent required by
Rule 18f-3, with respect to each outstanding class of shares of
the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan (the
"Services Plan") to provide for the payment with respect to Class
C Shares of the Fund of "Service Fees" within the meaning of the
Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. The Services Plan applies only to the Class C
Shares of the Fund (regardless of whether such class is so
designated or is redesignated by some other name).
As used in the Services Plan, "Qualified Recipients" shall
mean broker-dealers or others selected by Aquila Distributors,
Inc. (the "Distributor"), including but not limited to the
Distributor and any other principal underwriter of the Fund, who
have, pursuant to written agreements with the Fund or the
Distributor, agreed to provide personal services to shareholders
of Level-Payment Class Shares and/or maintenance of Level-
Payment Class Shares shareholder accounts. "Qualified Holdings"
shall mean, as to any Qualified Recipient, all Level-Payment
Class Shares beneficially owned by such Qualified Recipient's
customers, clients or other contacts. "Administrator" shall mean
Aquila Management Corporation or any successor serving as
sub-adviser or administrator of the Fund.
Subject to the direction and control of the Fund's Board of
Trustees, the Fund may make payments ("Service Fees") to
Qualified Recipients, which Service Fees (i) may be paid directly
or through the Distributor or shareholder servicing agent as
disbursing agent and (ii) may not exceed, for any fiscal year of
the Fund (as adjusted for any part or parts of a fiscal year
during which payments under the Services Plan are not accruable
or for any fiscal year which is not a full fiscal year), 0.25 of
1% of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by
the Level-Payment Class Shares. Such payments shall be made only
out of the Fund's assets allocable to the Level-Payment Class
Shares. The Distributor shall have sole authority with respect to
the selection of any Qualified Recipient or Recipients and the
amount of Service Fees, if any, paid to each Qualified Recipient,
provided that the total Service Fees paid to all Qualified
Recipients may not exceed the amount set forth above and
provided, further, that no Qualified Recipient may receive more
than 0.25 of 1% of the average annual net asset value of shares
sold by such Recipient. The Distributor is authorized, but not
directed, to take into account, in addition to any other factors
deemed relevant by it, the following: (a) the amount of the
Qualified Holdings of the Qualified Recipient and (b) the extent
to which the Qualified Recipient has, at its expense, taken steps
in the shareholder servicing area with respect to holders of
Level-Payment Class Shares, including without limitation, any or
all of the following activities: answering customer inquiries
regarding account status and history, and the manner in which
purchases and redemptions of shares of the Fund may be effected;
assisting shareholders in designating and changing dividend
options, account designations and addresses; providing necessary
personnel and facilities to establish and maintain shareholder
accounts and records; assisting in processing purchase and
redemption transactions; arranging for the wiring of funds;
transmitting and receiving funds in connection with customer
orders to purchase or redeem shares; verifying and guaranteeing
shareholder signatures in connection with redemption orders and
transfers and changes in shareholder designated accounts; and
providing such other related services as the Distributor or a
shareholder may request from time to time. Notwithstanding the
foregoing two sentences, a majority of the Independent Trustees
(as defined below) may remove any person as a Qualified
Recipient. Amounts within the above limits accrued to a Qualified
Recipient but not paid during a fiscal year may be paid
thereafter; if less than the full amount is accrued to all
Qualified Recipients, the difference will not be carried over to
subsequent years.
While the Services Plan is in effect, the Fund's Distributor
shall report at least quarterly to the Fund's Trustees in writing
for their review on the following matters: (i) all Service Fees
paid under the Services Plan, the identity of the Qualified
Recipient of each payment, and the purposes for which the amounts
were expended; and (ii) all fees of the Fund to the Distributor
paid or accrued during such quarter. In addition, if any
Qualified Recipient is an "affiliated person," as that term is
defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund, the Adviser, the
Administrator or the Distributor, such person shall agree to
furnish to the Distributor for transmission to the Board of
Trustees of the Fund an accounting, in form and detail
satisfactory to the Board of Trustees, to enable the Board of
Trustees to make the determinations of the fairness of the
compensation paid to such affiliated person, not less often than
annually.
The Services Plan has been approved by a vote of the
Trustees, including those Trustees who, at the time of such vote,
were not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund and had no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Services Plan or in any agreements related to
the Services Plan (the "Independent Trustees"), with votes cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Services Plan. It will continue in effect for a period of more
than one year from its original effective date only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually as
set forth in the preceding sentence. It may be amended in like
manner and may be terminated at any time by vote of the
Independent Trustees.
The Services Plan shall also be subject to all applicable
terms and conditions of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act as now in
force or hereafter amended.
While the Services Plan is in effect, the selection and
nomination of those Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested
persons" of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act,
shall be committed to the discretion of such disinterested
Trustees. Nothing herein shall prevent the involvement of others
in such selection and nomination if the final decision on any
such selection and nomination is approved by a majority of such
disinterested Trustees.
LIMITATION OF REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the
1940 Act, pursuant to which the Fund is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1 percent
of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for
any one shareholder. Should redemptions by any shareholder exceed
such limitation, the Fund will have the option of redeeming the
excess in cash or in kind. If shares are redeemed in kind, the
redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage costs in converting
the assets into cash. The method of valuing securities used to
make redemptions in kind will be the same as the method of
valuing portfolio securities described under "Net Asset Value Per
Share" in the Prospectus, and such valuation will be made as of
the same time the redemption price is determined.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees and officers of the Fund, their affiliations,
if any, with the Administrator or the Distributor and their
principal occupations during at least the past five years are set
forth below. None of the Trustees or officers of the Fund is
affiliated with the Adviser. Mr. Herrmann is an "interested
person" of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as
an officer of the Fund and a Director, officer and shareholder of
the Distributor.
As of the date of this Additional Statement, all of the
Trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of its
outstanding shares.
Lacy B. Herrmann*, President and Chairman of the Board of
Trustees, 380 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017
Founder, President and Chairman of the Board of Aquila Management
Corporation since 1984, the sponsoring organization and
Administrator and/or Adviser or Sub-Adviser to the following
open-end investment companies, and Founder, Chairman of the Board
of Trustees, and President of each: Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust since
1984; Tax-Free Trust of Arizona since 1986; Tax-Free Trust of
Oregon since 1986; Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky since
1987; Tax-Free Fund For Utah since 1992; and Narragansett Insured
Tax-Free Income Fund since 1992; each of which is a tax-free
municipal bond fund, and two equity funds, Aquila Rocky Mountain
Equity Fund since 1993 and Aquila Cascadia Equity Fund since
1996, which, together with this Fund are called the Aquila Bond
and Equity Funds; and Pacific Capital Cash Assets Trust since
1984; Churchill Cash Reserves Trust since 1985; Pacific Capital
U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust since 1988; Pacific Capital
Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust since 1988; each of which is a money
market fund, and together with Capital Cash Management Trust
("CCMT") are called the Aquila Money-Market Funds; Vice
President, Director, Secretary and formerly Treasurer of Aquila
Distributors, Inc. since 1981, distributor of the above funds;
President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CCMT, a money
market fund since 1981, and an Officer and Trustee/Director of
its predecessors since 1974; Chairman of the Board of Trustees
and President of Prime Cash Fund (which is inactive), since 1982
and of Short Term Asset Reserves 1984-1996; President and a
Director of STCM Management Company, Inc., sponsor and
sub-adviser to CCMT; Chairman, President, and a Director since
1984, of InCap Management Corporation, formerly sub-adviser and
administrator of Prime Cash Fund and Short Term Asset Reserves,
and Founder and Chairman of several other money market funds;
Director or Trustee of OCC Cash Reserves, Inc., Oppenheimer Quest
Global Value Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc., and
Trustee of Quest For Value Accumulation Trust, The Saratoga
Advantage Trust, and of the Rochester Group of Funds, each of
which is an open-end investment company; Trustee of Brown
University, 1990-1996 and currently Trustee Emeritus; actively
involved for many years in leadership roles with university,
school and charitable organizations.
Tucker Hart Adams, Trustee, 4822 Alteza Drive, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80917
President of the Adams Group, an economic consulting firm, since
1989; Trustee of Aquila Rocky Mountain Equity Fund since 1993;
Vice President of United Banks of Colorado, 1985-1988; Chief
Economist of United Banks of Colorado, 1981-1988; Director of
University Hospital, 1990-1994; Director of the Colorado Health
Facilities Authority; Vice Chair of the University of Colorado
Foundation; currently or formerly an officer or director of
numerous professional and community organizations.
Arthur K. Carlson, Trustee, 8702 North Via La Serena, Paradise
Valley, Arizona 85253
Retired; Advisory Director of the Renaissance Companies (design
and construction companies of commercial, industrial and upscale
residential properties) since 1996; Senior Vice President and
Manager of the Trust Division of The Valley National Bank of
Arizona, 1977-1987; Trustee of Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust, Tax-Free
Trust of Arizona and Pacific Capital Cash Assets Trust since
1987, of Pacific Capital Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust and Pacific
Capital U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust since 1988 and of
Aquila Rocky Mountain Equity Fund since 1993; previously Vice
President of Investment Research at Citibank, New York City, and
prior to that Vice President and Director of Investment Research
of Irving Trust Company, New York City; past President of The New
York Society of Security Analysts and currently a member of the
Phoenix Society of Financial Analysts; formerly Director of the
Financial Analysts Federation; past Chairman of the Board and,
currently, Director of Mercy Healthcare of Arizona, Phoenix,
Arizona since 1990; Director of Northern Arizona University
Foundation since 1990; present or formerly an officer and/or
director of various other community and professional
organizations.
William M. Cole, Trustee, 852 Ramapo Way, Westfield, New Jersey
07090
President of Cole International, Inc., financial and shipping
consultants, since 1974; President of Cole Associates, shopping
center and real estate developers, 1974-1976; President of
Seatrain Lines, Inc., 1970-1974; former General Partner of Jones
& Thompson, international shipping brokers; Trustee of Pacific
Capital Cash Assets Trust since 1984, of Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust
since 1985 and of Pacific Capital Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust and
Pacific Capital U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust since 1988;
Chairman of Cole Group, a financial consulting and real estate
firm, since 1985.
Anne J. Mills, Trustee, 167 Glengarry Place, Castle Pines
Village, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
Vice President for Business Affairs of Ottawa University since
1992; Director of Customer Fulfillment, U.S. Marketing and
Services Group, IBM Corporation, 1990-1991; Director of Business
Requirements of that Group, 1988-1990; Director of Phase
Management of that Group, 1985-1988; Budget Review Officer of the
American Baptist Churches/USA since 1994; Director of the
American Baptist Foundation since 1985; Trustee of Brown
University; Trustee of Churchill Cash Reserves Trust since 1985,
of Tax-Free Trust of Arizona since 1986, of Churchill Tax-Free
Fund of Kentucky and Capital Cash Management Trust since 1987 and
of Tax-Free Fund For Utah since 1994.
J. William Weeks, Trustee, 380 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
10017
Trustee of Narragansett Insured Tax-Free Income Fund since 1995;
Senior Vice President of Tax-Free Fund of Colorado and
Narragansett Insured Tax-Free Income Fund, 1992-1995; Vice
President of Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust, Tax-Free Trust of Arizona,
Tax-Free Trust of Oregon and Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky,
1990-1995; Senior Vice President or Vice President of the Bond
and Equity Funds and Vice President of Short Term Asset Reserves
and Pacific Capital Cash Assets Trust, 1984-1988; President and
Director of Weeks & Co., Inc., financial consultants, since 1978;
limited partner and investor in various real estate partnerships
since 1988; Partner of Alex. Brown & Sons, investment bankers,
1966-1976; Vice President of Finance and Assistant to the
President of Howard Johnson Company, a restaurant and motor lodge
chain, 1961-1966; formerly with Blyth & Co., Inc., investment
bankers.
John G. Welles, Trustee, 1133 Race Street 11 South, Denver,
Colorado 80206
Retired; Executive Director Emeritus of the Denver Museum of
Natural History since 1995; Director of the Museum, 1987-1994;
Regional Administrator of Region VIII, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 1983-1987; Vice President for Planning and
Public Affairs of the Colorado School of Mines, 1974-1983; Member
of the Board of Directors of Intra West Mortgage Corporation,
1976-1983; Member of the Board of Directors of the Gulf of Maine
Foundation; formerly head of the Industrial Economics Division of
the University of Denver Research Institute, consultant to the
United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and to
Business International, and Chairman of the Colorado Front Range
Project; formerly Vice President and member of Ethics Commission
of the American Association of Museums.
William C. Wallace, Vice President, 380 Madison Avenue, New York,
New York 10017
Vice President of Capital Cash Management Trust and Pacific
Capital Cash Assets Trust since 1984; Senior Vice President of
Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust since 1985 and Vice President, 1984-1985;
Senior Vice President of Tax-Free Trust of Arizona since 1989 and
Vice President, 1986-1988; Vice President of Tax-Free Trust of
Oregon since 1986, of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky since
1987, of Pacific Capital Tax-Free Cash Assets Trust and Pacific
Capital U.S. Treasuries Cash Assets Trust since 1988 and of
Narragansett Insured Tax-Free Income Fund since 1992; Secretary
and Director of STCM Management Company, Inc. since 1974;
President of the Distributor since 1995 and formerly Vice
President of the Distributor, 1986-1992; Member of the Panel of
Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association, since 1978;
Assistant Vice President, American Stock Exchange, Market
Development Division, and Director of Marketing, American Gold
Coin Exchange, a subsidiary of the American Stock Exchange,
1976-1984.
Jean M. Smith, Vice President, 410 17th Street, Suite 1715,
Denver, Colorado 80208
Assistant Treasurer of Bradford Trust Company, 1977-1978; Staff
Supervisor of Wood Struthers & Winthrop, an investment advisory
firm, 1976-1977; Client Administrator of Bradford Trust Company,
1972-1976.
Marie E. Aro, Vice President, 410 17th Street, Suite 1715,
Denver, Colorado 80202
Vice President and Mutual Fund marketing Director of Boettcher &
Company, Inc., a regional brokerage firm, 1981-1990; Marketing
and Shareholder Services Representative with AIM Management Inc.,
a mutual funds adviser and underwriter, 1980-1981.
Rose F. Marotta, Chief Financial Officer, 380 Madison Avenue, New
York, New York 10017
Chief Financial Officer of the Aquila Money-Market Funds and the
Aquila Bond and Equity Funds since 1991 and Treasurer, 1981-1991;
formerly Treasurer of the predecessor of CCMT; Treasurer and
Director of STCM Management Company, Inc., since 1974; Treasurer
of Trinity Liquid Assets Trust, 1982-1986 and of Oxford Cash
Management Fund, 1982-1988; Treasurer of InCap Management
Corporation since 1982, of the Administrator since 1984 and of
the Distributor since 1985.
Richard F. West, Treasurer, 380 Madison Avenue, New York, New
York 10017
Treasurer of the Aquila Money-Market Funds and the Aquila Bond
and Equity Funds and of Aquila Distributors, Inc. since 1992;
Associate Director of Furman Selz Incorporated, 1991-1992; Vice
President of Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. and Treasurer of
Scudder Institutional Funds, 1989-1991; Vice President of Lazard
Freres Institutional Funds Group, Treasurer of Lazard Freres
Group of Investment Companies and HT Insight Funds, Inc.,
1986-1988; Vice President of Lehman Management Co., Inc. and
Assistant Treasurer of Lehman Money Market Funds, 1981-1985;
Controller of Seligman Group of Investment Companies, 1960-1980.
Edward M. W. Hines, Secretary, 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New
York 10176
Partner of Hollyer Brady Smith Troxell Barrett Rockett Hines &
Mone LLP, attorneys, since 1989 and counsel, 1987-1989; Secretary
of the Aquila Money-Market Funds and the Aquila Bond and Equity
Funds since 1982; Secretary of Trinity Liquid Assets Trust,
1982-1985 and Trustee of that Trust, 1985-1986; Secretary of
Oxford Cash Management Fund, 1982-1988.
John M. Herndon, Assistant Secretary, 380 Madison Avenue, New
York, New York 10017
Assistant Secretary of the Aquila Money-Market Funds and the
Aquila Bond and Equity Funds since 1995 and Vice President of the
Aquila Money-Market Funds since 1990; Vice President of the
Administrator since 1990; Investment Services Consultant and Bank
Services Executive of Wright Investors' Service, a registered
investment adviser, 1983-1989; Member of the American Finance
Association, the Western Finance Association and the Society of
Quantitative Analysts.
Patricia A. Craven, Assistant Secretary & Compliance Officer, 380
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017
Assistant Secretary of the Aquila Money-Market Funds and the
Aquila Bond and Equity Funds since 1995; Counsel to the
Administrator and the Distributor since 1995; formerly a Legal
Associate for Oppenheimer Management Corporation, 1993-1995.
Compensation of Trustees
For its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund paid a
total of $59,804 in compensation and reimbursement of expenses to
those Trustees to whom it pays fees. No other compensation or
remuneration of any type, direct or contingent, was paid by the
Fund to its Trustees. The Fund does not pay fees to Trustees
affiliated with the Administrator or to any of its officers.
The Fund is one of the 14 funds in the Aquilasm Group of
Funds, which consists of tax-free municipal bond funds, money
market funds and two equity funds. The following table lists the
compensation of all Trustees who received compensation from the
Fund and the compensation they received during the Fund's fiscal
year from other funds in the Aquilasm Group of Funds. None of
such Trustees has any pension or retirement benefits from the
Fund or any of the other funds in the Aquila group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Compensation Number of
from all boards on
Compensation funds in the which the
from the Aquilasm Trustee
Name Fund Group now serves
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tucker H.
Adams $7,480 $10,042 2
Arthur K.
Carlson $5,471 $50,827 7
William M.
Cole $6,430 $41,144 5
Anne J.
Mills $5,525 $28,184 6
J. William
Weeks $7,257 $10,257 2
John G.
Welles $7,461 $7,461 1
</TABLE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS TO MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Additional Information as to the Advisory Agreement
The Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement")
between the Fund and KPM Investment Management, Inc. (the
"Adviser") contains the provisions described below, in addition
to those described in the Prospectus.
The Advisory Agreement contains the following provisions as
to the Fund's portfolio transactions. In connection with its
duties to arrange for the purchase and sale of the Fund's
portfolio securities, the Adviser shall select such
broker-dealers ("dealers") as shall, in the Adviser's judgment,
implement the policy of the Fund to achieve "best execution,"
i.e., prompt, efficient and reliable execution of orders at the
most favorable net price. The Adviser shall cause the Fund to
deal directly with the selling or purchasing principal or market
maker without incurring brokerage commissions unless the Adviser
determines that better price or execution may be obtained by
paying such commissions; the Fund expects that most transactions
will be principal transactions at net prices and that the Fund
will incur little or no brokerage costs. The Fund understands
that purchases from underwriters include a commission or
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and that
principal transactions placed through dealers include a spread
between the bid and asked price. In allocating transactions to
dealers, the Adviser is authorized to consider, in determining
whether a particular dealer will provide best execution, the
dealer's reliability, integrity, financial condition and risk in
positioning the securities involved, as well as the difficulty of
the transaction in question, and thus need not pay the lowest
spread or commission available if the Adviser determines in good
faith that the amount of commission is reasonable in relation to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the
dealer, viewed either in terms of the particular transaction or
the Adviser's overall responsibilities as to the accounts as to
which it exercises investment discretion. If, on the foregoing
basis, the transaction in question could be allocated to two or
more dealers, the Adviser is authorized, in making such
allocation, to consider (i) whether a dealer has provided
research services, as further discussed below; and (ii) whether a
dealer has sold shares of the Fund or any other investment
company or companies having the Adviser as its investment adviser
or having the same Administrator, sub-adviser or principal
underwriter as the Fund. Such research may be in written form or
through direct contact with individuals and may include
quotations on portfolio securities and information on particular
issuers and industries, as well as on market, economic or
institutional activities. The Fund recognizes that no dollar
value can be placed on such research services or on execution
services, that such research services may or may not be useful to
the Fund and/or other accounts of the Adviser and that research
received by such other accounts may or may not be useful to the
Fund.
The expense limitation referred to in the Prospectus, if in
effect, is implemented monthly so that at no time is there any
unpaid liability under the limitation, subject to readjustment
during the year.
The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser at
any time without penalty upon giving the Fund sixty days' written
notice, and may be terminated by the Fund at any time without
penalty upon giving the Adviser sixty days' written notice,
provided that such termination by the Fund shall be directed or
approved by the vote of a majority of all its Trustees in office
at the time or by the vote of the holders of a majority (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of its voting securities at the time
outstanding and entitled to vote; it automatically terminates in
the event of its assignment (as so defined).
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Adviser is not
liable for any loss sustained by the adoption of any investment
policy or the purchase, sale or retention of any security and
permits the Adviser to act as investment adviser for any other
person, firm or corporation. The Fund agrees to indemnify the
Adviser to the full extent permitted under the Fund's Declaration
of Trust.
The Advisory Agreement states that it is agreed that the
Adviser shall have no responsibility or liability for the
accuracy or completeness of the Fund's Registration Statement
under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, except for the
information supplied by the Adviser for inclusion therein.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, all of the
Fund's transactions were principal transactions and no brokerage
commissions were paid.
Former Advisory Arrangements
From the commencement of the Fund's operations in 1987 until
April 19, 1991, Norwest Bank Denver, National Association
("NBD"), formerly known as United Bank of Denver National
Association, provided investment advisory and other services to
the Fund. It acted as the Fund's investment adviser under an
investment advisory agreement until April 19, 1991, when, upon
completion of the merger of NBD's parent, Norwest Colorado, Inc.
("NCI"), formerly known as United Banks of Colorado, into Norwest
Corporation ("Norwest"), one of the banking subsidiaries of
Norwest, Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association ("Norwest
Bank") became investment adviser to the Fund under an advisory
agreement (the "Former Advisory Agreement"), and NBD, which after
the merger became an indirect subsidiary of Norwest, became
sub-adviser to the Fund under a sub-advisory agreement (the
"Former Sub-Advisory Agreement"). Both agreements were approved
by the shareholders of the Fund on March 28, 1991, went into
effect on April 19, 1991 and remained in effect until terminated
on October 1, 1992, when an advisory agreement with Kirkpatrick,
Pettis, Smith, Polian, Inc. ("Kirkpatrick, Pettis") went into
effect. That Agreement remained in effect until June 8, 1994 when
the current Advisory Agreement went into effect. On July 1, 1994,
with the approval of the Board of Trustees, Kirkpatrick, Pettis
transferred the Advisory Agreement to its wholly owned
subsidiary, the Adviser, which has acted as the Fund's adviser
since that time using the same personnel. In 1996, Kirkpatrick,
Pettis transferred ownership of the adviser to KFS Corporation,
another subsidiary of their corporate parent, Mutual of Omaha
Insurance Company.
For the year ended December 31, 1996, advisory fees of
$429,661 were paid or accrued to the Adviser, of which $7,388 was
voluntarily waived. For the year ended December 31, 1995,
advisory fees of $427,046 were paid or accrued to the Adviser, of
which $49,985 was voluntarily waived. For the year ended December
31, 1994, advisory fees of $424,965 were paid or accrued to
Kirkpatrick, Pettis until July 1, 1994, and to the Adviser
thereafter, of which $63,762 was voluntarily waived.
Additional Information as to the Administration Agreement
The Administration Agreement (the "Administration
Agreement") between Aquila Management Corporation, as
Administrator, and the Fund contains the provisions described
below in addition to those described in the Prospectus.
Since the Fund pays its own legal and audit expenses, to the
extent that the Fund's counsel and accountants prepare or assist
in the preparation of prospectuses, proxy statements and reports
to shareholders, the costs of such preparation or assistance are
paid by the Fund.
The expense limitation referred to in the Prospectus, if in
effect, is implemented monthly so that at no time is there any
unpaid liability under the limitation, subject to readjustment
during the year.
The Administration Agreement may be terminated at any time
without penalty by the Administrator upon sixty days' written
notice to the Fund and the Adviser; it may be terminated by the
Fund at any time without penalty upon giving the Administrator
sixty days' written notice, provided that such termination by the
Fund shall be directed or approved by a vote of a majority of the
Trustees in office at the time, including a majority of the
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund. In either
case the notice provision may be waived.
The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator
shall not be liable for any error in judgement or for any loss
suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the
Administration Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of the
Administrator in the performance of its duties, or from reckless
disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the
Administration Agreement. The Fund agrees to indemnify the
Administrator to the full extent permitted by the Declaration of
Trust.
During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
respectively, administration fees of $644,125 $640,488 and
$637,386 were paid or accrued to the Administrator under the
Administration Agreement of which $99,853, $228,480 and 254,945,
respectively was voluntarily waived.
COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the shares of each of the Fund's
three classes is determined as of 4:00 p.m., New York time, on
each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open, by dividing
the value of the Fund's net assets allocable to each class by the
total number of its shares of such class then outstanding.
However, Futures and options on them are valued at the last sales
price on the principal commodities exchange on which the Future
or option is traded or, if there are no sales, at the mean
between the bid and asked prices as of the close of that
exchange; such close may be later than 4:00 p.m., New York time.
Securities having a remaining maturity of less than sixty days
when purchased and securities originally purchased with
maturities in excess of sixty days but which currently have
maturities of sixty days or less are valued at cost adjusted for
amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. All other
portfolio securities are valued at the mean between bid and asked
quotations which, for Colorado Obligations, may be obtained from
a reputable pricing service or from one or more broker-dealers
dealing in Colorado Obligations, either of which may, in turn,
obtain quotations from broker-dealers or banks which deal in
specific issues. However, since Colorado Obligations are
ordinarily purchased and sold on a "yield" basis by banks or
dealers which act for their own account and do not ordinarily
make continuous offerings, quotations obtained from such sources
may be subject to greater fluctuations than is warranted by
prevailing market conditions. Accordingly, some or all of the
Colorado Obligations in the Fund's portfolio may be priced, with
the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees, by differential
comparisons to the market in other municipal bonds under methods
which include consideration of the current market value of
tax-free debt instruments having varying characteristics of
quality, yield and maturity. Any securities or assets for which
market quotations are not readily available are valued at their
fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by and under the general supervision and
responsibility of the Fund's Board of Trustees. In the case of
Colorado Obligations, such procedures may include "matrix"
comparisons to the prices for other tax-free debt instruments on
the basis of the comparability of their quality, yield, maturity
and other special factors, if any, involved. With the approval of
the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Adviser may at its own expense
and without reimbursement from the Fund employ a pricing service,
bank or broker-dealer experienced in such matters to perform any
of the above described functions.
As indicated above, the net asset value per share of the
Fund's shares will be determined on each day that the New York
Stock Exchange is open. That Exchange annually announces the days
on which it will not be open. The most recent announcement
indicates that it will not be open on the following days: New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
However, that Exchange may close on days not included in that
announcement.
Reasons for Differences in Public Offering Price
As described herein and in the Prospectus, there are a
number of instances in which the Fund's Class A Shares are sold
or issued on a basis other than the maximum public offering
price, that is, the net asset value plus the highest sales
charge. Some of these relate to lower or eliminated sales charges
for larger purchases, whether made at one time or over a period
of time as under a Letter of Intent or right of accumulation.
(See the table of sales charges in the Prospectus.) The reasons
for these quantity discounts are, in general, that (i) they are
traditional and have long been permitted in the industry and are
therefore necessary to meet competition as to sales of shares of
other funds having such discounts; and (ii) they are designed to
avoid an unduly large dollar amount of sales charge on
substantial purchases in view of reduced selling expenses.
Quantity discounts are made available to certain related persons
("single purchasers") for reasons of family unity and to provide
a benefit to tax-exempt plans and organizations.
The reasons for the other instances in which there are
reduced or eliminated sales charges for Class A Shares are as
follows. Exchanges at net asset value are permitted because a
sales charge has already been paid on the shares exchanged. Sales
without sales charge are permitted to Trustees, officers and
certain others due to reduced or eliminated selling expenses
and/or since such sales may encourage incentive, responsibility
and interest and an identification with the aims and policies of
the Fund. Limited reinvestments of redemptions of Class A Shares
and Class C Shares at no sales charge are permitted to attempt to
protect against mistaken or incompletely informed redemption
decisions. Shares may be issued at no sales charge in plans of
reorganization due to reduced or eliminated sales expenses and
since, in some cases, such issuance is exempted in the 1940 Act
from the otherwise applicable restrictions as to what sales
charge must be imposed. In no case in which there is a reduced or
eliminated sales charge are the interests of existing
shareholders adversely affected since, in each case, the Fund
receives the net asset value per share of all shares sold or
issued.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
Any shareholder who owns or purchases Class A Shares or
Class Y Shares of the Fund having a net asset value of at least
$5,000 may establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan under which he
or she will receive a monthly or quarterly check in a stated
amount, not less than $50. Stock certificates will not be issued
for shares held under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. All dividends
and distributions must be reinvested. Shares will be redeemed on
the last business day of the month or quarter as may be necessary
to meet withdrawal payments.
Redemption of shares for withdrawal purposes may reduce or
even liquidate the account. Monthly or quarterly payments paid to
shareholders may not be considered as a yield or income on
investment.
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION
If you incur a sales commission on purchase of shares of one
mutual fund (the original fund) and then sell such shares or
exchange them for shares of a different mutual fund without
having held them at least 91 days, you must reduce the tax basis
for the shares sold or exchanged to the extent that the standard
sales commission charged for acquiring shares in the exchange or
later acquiring shares of the original fund or another fund is
reduced because of the shareholder's having owned the original
fund shares. The effect of the rule is to increase your gain or
reduce your loss on the original fund shares. The amount of the
basis reduction on the original fund shares, however, is added on
the investor's basis for the fund shares acquired in the exchange
or later acquired. The provision applies to commissions charged
after October 3, 1989.
CONVERSION OF CLASS C SHARES
Level-Payment Class Shares ("Class C Shares") of the Fund
which you hold will automatically convert to Front-Payment Class
Shares ("Class A Shares") of the Fund based on the relative net
asset values per share of the two classes as of the close of
business on the first business day of the month in which the
sixth anniversary of the your initial purchase of such Class C
Shares occurs. For these purposes, the date of your initial
purchase shall mean (1) the first business day of the month in
which such Class C Shares were issued to you, or (2) for Class C
Shares of the Fund you have obtained through an exchange or
series of exchanges under the Exchange Privilege (see "Exchange
Privilege" in the Prospectus), the first business day of the
month in which you made the original purchase of Class C Shares
so exchanged. For conversion purposes, Class C Shares purchased
through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions paid in
respect of Class C Shares will be held in a separate sub-account.
Each time any Class C Shares in your regular account (other than
those in the sub-account) convert to Class A Shares, a pro-rata
portion of the Class C Shares in the sub-account will also
convert to Class A Shares. The portion will be determined by the
ratio that your Class C Shares then converting to Class A Shares
bears to the total of your Class C Shares not acquired through
reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
The availability of the conversion feature is subject to the
continuing applicability of a ruling of the Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS"), or an opinion of counsel, that: (1) the
dividends and other distributions paid on Class A Shares and
Class C Shares will not result in "preferential dividends" under
the Code; and (2) the conversion of shares does not constitute a
taxable event. If the conversion feature ceased to be available,
the Class C Shares of the Fund would not be converted and would
continue to be subject to the higher ongoing expenses of the
Class C Shares beyond six years from the date of purchase. The
Fund has no reason to believe that these conditions for the
availability of the conversion feature will not continue to be
met.
If the Fund implements any amendments to its Distribution
Plan that would increase materially the costs that may be borne
under such Distribution Plan by Class A Shares shareholders,
Class C Shares will stop converting into Class A Shares unless a
majority of Class C Shares shareholders, voting separately as a
class, approve the proposal.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Possible Additional Series
If additional Series (as discussed in the Prospectus) were
created by the Board of Trustees, shares of each such Series
would be entitled to vote as a Series only to the extent
permitted by the 1940 Act (see below) or as permitted by the
Board of Trustees. Income and operating expenses would be
allocated among two or more series in a manner acceptable to the
Board of Trustees.
Under Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act, as to any investment
company which has two or more Series outstanding, on any matter
required to be submitted to shareholder vote, such matter is not
deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in that Rule) of the voting
securities of each Series affected by the matter. Such separate
voting requirements do not apply to the election of trustees or
the ratification of the selection of accountants. Rule 18f-2
contains special provisions for cases in which an advisory
contract is approved by one or more, but not all, Series. A
change in investment policy may go into effect as to one or more
Series whose holders so approve the change, even though the
required vote is not obtained as to the holders of other affected
Series.
Ownership of Securities
Of the Class A Shares of the Fund outstanding on March 31,
1997, Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., P.O. Box
30561 New Brunswick, NJ held of record 1,137,704 shares (5.4%).
On the basis of information received from those holders, the
Fund's management believes that all of such shares are held for
the benefit of clients.
Of the Class C Shares of the Fund outstanding on March 31,
1997, PaineWebber F/B/O held 17,469 shares (19.1% of the class),
and Everen Clearing Corp. (two accounts) held 17, 162 shares and
48,538 shares, (18.8% and 53.2% of the class). On the basis of
information received from those holders, the Fund's management
believes that all of such shares are held for the benefit of
clients.
Of the Class Y Shares of the Fund outstanding on March 31,
1997, Haws & Co. held 52,494 shares (99.9% of the class). On the
basis of information received from those holders, the Fund's
management believes that all of such shares are held for the
benefit of clients.
The Fund's management is not aware of any other person
owning of record or beneficially 5% or more of the shares of any
class of Fund's outstanding shares as of that date.
Indemnification of Shareholders and Trustees
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a trust such as the
Fund may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable
as partners for the obligations of the Fund. For shareholder
protection, however, an express disclaimer of shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund is contained in the
Declaration of Trust which requires that notice of such
disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument
entered into or executed by the Fund or the Trustees. The
Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the
Fund's property of any shareholder held personally liable for the
obligations of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides
that the Fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any
claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of
the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to the relatively remote circumstances in
which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations.
The Declaration of Trust further indemnifies the Trustees of
the Fund out of the property of the Fund, and provides that they
will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or
law; but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee
against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office.
Underwriting Commissions
During the year ended December 31, 1996, the aggregate
dollar amount of sales charges on sales of shares in the Fund was
$490,837 and the amount retained by the Distributor was $83,492.
Custodian and Auditors
The Fund's Custodian, Bank One Trust Company, N.A., is
responsible for holding the Fund's assets.
The Fund's auditors, KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, perform an
annual audit of the Fund's financial statements.
The financial statements for the Fund for the year ended
December 31, 1996, which are contained in the Annual Report for
that fiscal year, are hereby incorporated by reference into the
Additional Statement. Those financial statements have been
audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors, whose
report thereon is incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
Municipal Bond Ratings
Standard & Poor's. A Standard & Poor's municipal obligation
rating is a current assessment of the creditworthiness of an
obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This assessment
may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers
or lessees.
The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or
hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market
price or suitability for a particular investor.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by
the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it
considers reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit
in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on
unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed,
suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information, or for other circumstances.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following
considerations:
I. Likelihood of default - capacity and willingness of the
obligor as to the timely payment of interest and
repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of
the obligation;
II. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
III. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the
obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization
or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and
other laws affecting creditors rights.
AAA Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.
AA Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay
interest and repay principal and differs from the
highest rated issues only in small degree.
A Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest
and repay principal although it is somewhat more
susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in
higher rated categories.
BBB Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas
it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay
interest and repay principal for debt in this category
than in higher rated categories.
Plus (+) or Minus (:): The ratings from "AA" to "B" may be
modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
Provisional Ratings: The letter "p" indicates that the
rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the
successful completion of the project being financed by the debt
being rated and indicates that payment of debt service
requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful
and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the
project, makes no comment on the likelihood of, or the risk of
default upon failure of, such completion. The investor should
exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and
risk.
Standard & Poor's ratings for municipal note issues are
designated SP in order to help investors distinguish more clearly
the credit quality of notes as compared to bonds. Notes bearing
the designation SP-1 are deemed very strong or to have strong
capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined
to possess overwhelming safety characteristics will be given a
plus (+) designation. Notes bearing the designation SP-2 are
deemed to have a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and
interest.
Moody's Investors Service. A brief description of the
applicable Moody's Investors Service rating symbols and their
meanings follows:
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment
risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge".
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure.
While the various protective elements are likely to
change, such changes as can be visualized are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of
such issues.
Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high
quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group
they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because
margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa
securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be
of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat
larger than in Aaa securities.
A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable
investment attributes and are to be considered as upper
medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but
elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility
to impairment some time in the future.
Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium
grade obligations; i.e., they are neither highly
protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of
time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative
characteristics as well.
Bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's
believes possess the strongest investment attributes are
designated by the symbols Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1 and B1.
Moody's Short Term Loan Ratings - There are four rating
categories for short-term obligations, all of which define an
investment grade situation. These are designated Moody's
Investment Grade as MIG 1 through MIG 4. In the case of variable
rate demand obligations (VRDOs), two ratings are assigned; one
representing an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with
scheduled principal and interest payments, and the other
representing an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with
the demand feature. The short-term rating assigned to the demand
feature of VRDOs is designated as VMIG. When no rating is applied
to the long or short-term aspect of a VRDO, it will be designated
NR. Issues or the features associated with MIG or VMIG ratings
are identified by date of issue, date of maturity or maturities
or rating expiration date and description to distinguish each
rating from other ratings. Each rating designation is unique with
no implication as to any other similar issue of the same obligor.
MIG ratings terminate at the retirement of the obligation while
VMIG rating expiration will be a function of each issuer's
specific structural or credit features.
MIG1/VMIG1 This designation denotes best quality. There
is present strong protection by established
cash flows, superior liquidity support or
demonstrated broad-based access to the market
for refinancing.
MIG2/VMIG2 This designation denotes high quality.
Margins of protection are ample although not
so large as in the preceding group.
MIG3/VMIG3 This designation denotes favorable quality.
All security elements are accounted for but
there is lacking the undeniable strength of
the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow
protection may be narrow and market access
for refinancing is likely to be less well
established.
MIG4/VMIG4 This designation denotes adequate quality.
Protection commonly regarded as required of
an investment security is present and
although not distinctly or predominantly
speculative, there is specific risk.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
KPM Investment Management, Inc.
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 1300
Denver, Colorado 80203
ADMINISTRATOR
Aquila Management Corporation
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lacy B. Herrmann, Chairman
Tucker Hart Adams
Arthur K. Carlson
William M. Cole
Anne J. Mills
J. William Weeks
John G. Welles
OFFICERS
Lacy B. Herrmann, President
Jean M. Smith, Vice President
Marie Aro, Vice President
Rose F. Marotta, Chief Financial Officer
Richard F. West, Treasurer
Edward M.W. Hines, Secretary
DISTRIBUTOR
Aquila Distributors, Inc.
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
Administrative Data Management Corp.
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095-1198
CUSTODIAN
Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
100 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43271
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
COUNSEL
Hollyer Brady Smith Troxell
Barrett Rockett Hines & Mone LLP
551 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10176
AQUILA
[LOGO]
Tax-Free Fund
of
Colorado
A tax-free
income investment
[LOGO]
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
One Of The
Aquilasm Group Of Funds
